It's a Long, Slow Road to TV Prime Time!

Sometimes, it's just damn depressing! It really is. Even though you might think that after working some 20 years to make this dream happen, we'd be used to the lag time, when things just slow to a crawl. Think of it this way, you have a bunch of really good calls in a row. Each one requires the best from every participant and the calls are almost all different. First you have a complex, confined-space rescue, then just a couple of hours later, you have a working fire in that huge building that you always knew was going to beat you down to a pulp. On both sides of those, you have non-stop EMS calls, a few routine, then you have a difficult delivery, a full-arrest, and a poisoning of a child. All this in just one tour.

Now, you go nearly a week with nothing worse than an ingrown toenail, an elderly resident who simply forgot where he parked his car and the proverbial, cat up a tree. 
"What the hell happened to all that action we had just a couple of days ago," you wonder. Those are the responses you live for!

NOW,  you have an idea of what we're going through. Initially, we thought this week was going to be a big one for us. However, those damn circumstances that you never think about or prepare for, or expect, show up. And with that, molasses is moving across the floor faster than our developments!

We started the week with an excellent conference call. Almost all of our company meetings are conducted via conference call as we're spread out around the county with two members in different parts of Florida, one in Wilmington DE and one in Los Angeles. We decided to continue our discussions with one of the major crowdfunding platforms and to secure domain names for the new show. So we can share that the new domain will be CauseandOrigin.tv. We'll be initializing new email addresses and a new Twitter name this coming week.

That stuff was the "fun" part of our meeting. Then came the section where we have to act like grownups and take care of business. There's a new corporation to form, what type is should be, how to capitalize the new corporation, etc., etc. etc. BORING!! But, it does have to be done. And that's done in between all the really important stuff we do in our lives, like work, teach, household errands, yada, yada, yada. See what I mean? Aren't you enthralled?

Now that's not to say that there isn't some good news. As of a few moments ago (1708 HRS EDT) we have 724 Followers on Twitter. It's a great number, a really great number. Unfortunately, it's nowhere near enough! Why? Look at the numbers:

• There are approximately 1.2 million firefighters in the U.S. (including career, volunteer, combo and on-call)
• For our crowdfunding campaign to raise enough money to shoot the pilot and provide the networks with a great show that they will fight over, we need every one of those firefighters to donate $1.00 each! Right - like that's ever going to happen.
• So, we need to reach as many fire-rescue personnel, plus other first responders from all "branches," i.e. LEO's, EMS, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. and ask them to contribute whatever they can.
• On top of that, we need to reach each of the great periodicals that service our industry and convince them to pick up an editorial story about our goal to produce this show.
• On top of that, we need to reach as many companies and other businesses whose prime customers are those of us in fire-rescue, EMS, law enforcement, and convince them to be promotional sponsors of the show.

And how is all that going to happen? That's the Million Dollar Question! (sorry for the pun!)

Listen, we deeply appreciate everyone of you who have contacted us via Twitter or email and want to support us. However, we do not want to ask you for money yet. What we do desperately need you to do is simple and free: please pass on our information to everyone you know in the "business." If you work for one of the magazines, tell them about us. We'd be happy to talk to them about it. And if you work for one of the companies that service our businesses, let them know about us too! Just provide them with our Twitter handle (@DalmatProd) or our web site, www.dalmatianproductions.tv, and they can email us for more details. We will write, call, talk and even visit any company that would like to work with us to make this dream, this dream of all of us, come true. 

No, it's not easy. Yet, we have all learned that nothing that is worthwhile in life, ever is. But this is something the fire-rescue personnel, all first responders, deserve. A good, accurate television program about the fire service that will show the viewers what our lives are all about. Who we are and what we do.

Any questions? No problem. Just DM us on Twitter or through the web site.

Now, Stay Safe and Remember - Every One Goes Home!

How Much is That Pumper in the Window? Or That Ladder Truck That Bends in the Middle & Has A "Q"?

If you've been following us here or on Twitter (@DalmatProd) you see that we are getting very serious about using using crowdfunding to raise the money necessary to produce and shoot the pilot episode of "CAUSE & ORIGIN." However, besides the individual donations that can be made, there are additional sources we will be looking at. (That's right...in the future tense - we are not looking for any donations at this time!)

If you caught our Periscope broadcast yesterday (under DalmatProd) we mentioned several there. Let me touch on a few:

1. We're sure you have all seen the credits at the end of a TV show or movie where it says, "Promotional Consideration Provided By..." That occurs on two levels; 1. A direct financial contribution, and 2. Product Placement. Most people knew nothing about product placement until two movies made the term quite clear - "2001: A Space Odyssey," which had the airline name of the now defunct, "Pan Am," all over its shuttle and other rocket ships. The second movie that brought this idea to the forefront on movies and television was the favorite, "E.T." In that film, Steven Spielberg found himself with a problem. He had wanted to use "M&M's" as the candy used to tempt the little alien out of the garage. When the Mars company turned him down, he went to a smaller company with anxious to promote a new product. The company was Reese's. The product was Reese's Pieces. Thus, a company is able to advertise its fine products by providing the product at no cost to the production. 

Our fundraising efforts will include product placement, as well. If you/your company have a strong connection to the fire-rescue service, we will be happy to talk and/or meet with you to see how we can use your product in our show, "Cause & Origin." Thus, your product will be seen by millions, many of whom we expect to be first responders. 

To add a little "frosting," to the product placement, we plan on acquiring a Class A RV and drive around the country to visit as many firehouses as we can. So what's the "frosting?" The RV will be encased in a wrap that will show your product or logo. The size of your "wrap" will be determined through the value of your product placement. 

We plan on a somewhat similar program to be carried out as part of our crowdfunding campaign. For every donation in a certain category, we will be sending you a "charm." For example, a $5.00 donation may get you a miniature Halligan tool with the show's name inscribed on it. Contributions in higher numbers bring better "charms," i.e. a donation of $1,000.00 might earn a day on the set with us; a donation of $10,000.00 might have you cast as an extra. Get it? Got it! Good!

This weekend, we are approaching 700 dedicated Followers on Twitter. And part of the reason for that, we believe, is because we are not tweeting just about the show, we tweet about key issues facing first responders today. And we thank God for every single one you. However, we need more of you. When we try to explain to possible investors and we quote the figure of almost 1.2 million firefighters in this country, the number of 700 followers isn't so terrific. 

Thus, we strongly need your help!! We need you to talk up our project to your fellow firefighters, EMT/PM's, LEO's, and rescue squad specialists. We need you to "spread" the word to your family, friends, neighbors, Aunt Grace and crazy ol' Uncle Charlie! Moreover, if you work for a company whose primary target audience is in the fire-rescue service, we need you to tell them about our show and see if you can pique their interest. Now, don't worry that you have to "sell" them. That will be our job. We will be happy to flight out to wherever your company is based and meet with them to explain the entire process.

So, that's the how we need you and the why we need you. Please remember, we are currently not requesting contributions or donations of any kind. We do, however need your smarts and your talking help. In the old days, we might have deputized all of you to "ride with the marshal." We don't do that anymore, but we ask you to remember one very important fact: We are doing this for each and every one of you. This will be a family show that demonstrates the important jobs we do and all that we face, that most people have no idea about.

If you have any questions or just want to chat about the show, feel free to send us a Direct Message on Twitter (@DalmatProd) or on Facebook (once logged in, search for Dalmatian Productions, Inc.) We will get back to you as quickly as possible.

We thank you in advance for your help and support. God bless!

Steven S. Greene

President

Dalmatian Productions, Inc.

Follow us on Twitter: @DalmatProd and Read our Blog at www.bit.ly/DalmatProd

See the pilot episode of “America’s Heroes: The Men & Women of Fire/Rescue^®, at: http://bit.ly/1hvSYxH

And Remember - EVERYONE GOES HOME!

 

How Do You "Deliver" a TV Show?

Wow! We just finished our second Periscope broadcast. And a big "thank you" to those of you who tuned in and to those who sent tweets afterward. They are very much appreciated. So in this entry to our blog, I'm going to put into the written word what I discussed on the Periscope broadcast.

As we've explained over the last several months, the sole reason for our company, Dalmatian Productions, Inc., since its inception, was to create and produce quality television programs about the American fire service. The problem was that we were working before our time. Initially, our goal was to produce a couple of reality TV shows (before "reality" came to mean the distasteful stuff we see today) about our jobs. We had a show about volunteers and paid-on-call members and another about career departments. We had placed letters in all the top industry magazines and received hundreds of entries from departments all over the country. We got to work and shot two different pilot episodes. By the summer of 2001, we were gaining interest:

1. I was sought out to write a segment on fire prevention week for the then, Rosie O'Donnell show.

2. While in Israel that July, I was asked to return to Israel in the fall to produce an Israeli version of our show, "America's Heroes: The Men & Women of Fire-Rescue" for Israeli television.

3. Our distributor was getting interest from American cable and satellite networks for the pilot. 

Sounds good, right? WRONG! 9|11 happened. 

Besides being emotionally crushed and devastated, we knew that we had to stop all activity dealing with the fire service. For even though everyone we were dealing with knew that we, ourselves either were or had been members of the fire-rescue service, we did not want to appear that we were trying to use this horrible tragedy for our own purposes.

Over the years, we developed numerous other ideas for pilots, but they all fell within the broad concept of "reality." And over and over again, the TV networks weren't interested in good stuff about our jobs, but instead, wanted us to create a show that would disparage the fire service and hold it out to ridicule. We adamantly refused. 

Then, several years ago, I came up with the concept for "Cause & Origin." We bounced it around with different thoughts and ideas and finally, arrived at what we have today. And this is where YOU come in! 

To produce the pilot episode of "Cause & Origin," we have to generate a significant amount of cash. Watch any one-hour drama on TV today and you'll get a brief idea of what it takes to produce a show. Add to that the costs we will incur for the special effects and real fires, coverage, etc. and that gives you an idea of the mountain we're facing. Thus, our inclination to use crowdfunding to raise the money, a la "Veronica Mars," movie revival.

However, before we can even begin the campaign, we need to know if you, your family, your friends, your coworkers, etc., would like to see a dramatic series about the fire service. There has not been one since the days of "EMERGENCY!," "CODE RED," and "FIREHOUSE." Well, do you? And if you do have the interest, would you be willing to make a donation to our crowdfunding campaign to help make it happen? Well, would you?

That's it! That's what we need to know. So, we're asking you for your help....not your wallet...at least not yet! What we need to know right now is would you like to see this show and would you make a donation (even one dollar!) to help us create it?

To let us know, please send a tweet to us. That's all we need for now. Easy right?

Thanks for reading this entry and remember, #StaySafe and EVERY ONE GOES HOME!

#FFHI2015 - FireFighter Health Initiative of 2015

I'm sick and I'm sick and tired of being sick. No really, I am actually sick with a bad URI, that's on the verse of bronchitis. But I'm sicker even than that. Though I'm on the mend, I awoke this morning to find two #LODD notices in my mailbox, both for basically "middle-aged" men and both due to preventable health issues. And those two obits come on the heal of a third, that occurred over the weekend, when another brave FF passed, after nearly a week in the hospital following his collapse on the scene of a run. Again, due to preventable health issues. Well, we're tired of reading those #LODD notices and their subsequent obituaries; about the families left behind and hundreds, if not thousands who show up at their funerals. 

Listen, we all know and understand that this is a big, dangerous "game" that we play. It's always the same, us (Humans) versus him (The Red Devil). And because we play this game, we know the Red doesn't always play by the rules, so it is up to us to do so. And we do, day after day, we do. However, we have a good idea as to how this game is played, and thank Heaven above, the winning percentage has gained year after year in recent time. That's right. Fewer of us have lost the game and therefore, fireground fatalities are being reduced most years. Although a great many of us were reluctant to accept all the
"modern" safety codes and requirements issued by the #NFPA, more and more do and thus the lessening of the losses.

But if you ask me, we're missing the boat. We are so gung-ho to get on our apparatus when those tones sound off in the station or on our pagers, that we have lost sight of the most important factor: What happens if we don't take care of ourselves well enough to allow us to even stay on the job? It appears that we're nearly at 60% of the #LODD for 2015 have been health related. And sadly, our own colleagues are the ones to respond to those terrifying calls, at our home, at the firehouse, on the fireground, etc. It's too much....IT'S TOO GODDAM MUCH!! AND WE HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE!!

With that, we creating a hashtag, #FFHI2015 - The FireFighter Health Initiative 2015. THIS IS WHERE WE WILL DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND!! 

We're asking you...no, we're begging you to join us today. Make this hashtag #FFHI2015 part of your life. If you are a Chief officer reading this, this applies double for you. Why? Because this both applies to you as a firefighter and applies to you as a leader of your department to see to it that the #FFHI2015 is implemented in your department. If your a line officer, you're in the same boat as are the chiefs, you have to be willing to participate yourself and motivate your front-line members to do the same. And if you're an engineer, truckee, nozzle-jockey, or whatever, you owe both to your family and the community that you protect, to protect yourself.

No matter what your role is in firefighting, do you not owe it to your family, your friends, your co-workers to do the best job that you can? Ask yourself this: Is there anything you wouldn't do to? Would you walk into a fully involved buiding without full PPE? If you don't start taking care of yourself and soon, you might just as well! 

Are you afraid? Are you afraid that if you have to undergo a physical, it may disqualify you from active duty? Well, is that it? Tough to think about, isn't it. How would you care for your family, the house, etc.? That is a tough question. But here's one that even tougher...if you don't start taking care of yourself now, who will when you're dead and buried?

Look around you. See all your friends from work. See all your family. Do you think they'll think you any less of a person because you decided it's time to lose a few pounds and work out a bit?

OK, I've been able to vent this horrid feeling in me since this morning. But I will tell you this, we at Dalmatian Productions, Inc. believe in this issue so strongly that it will be worked into the long-term story line of our new TV show, "Cause & Origin(c)"

Now #StaySafe and Let's Make Sure #EveryOneGoesHome

Steve, Rich, Tom & Jesse

Role, Role, Role Your Career and See Where You Will Go...

Ha! I bet you thought I meant to say, "Row, row, row your boat." right? Fooled you! I didn't. I actually meant it the way I wrote it. Why?

Think of it this way. When we decide to be a firefighter, no matter if we choose firefighting as a career, as a volunteer or as a combination of the two, on-call, we begin a new career for ourselves. If firefighting will be your profession, then you want to make the best of it. If it is to be an avocation, well maybe advancement may not be a concern. Perhaps you want to be the best firefighter you can.

That entire picture and its focus change if you have a desire to advance your career. Advance? Simply put, not being a black helmet for your entire experience in the fire service. Most departments have helmets of other colors to denote rank, often red infers a line officer, white, a chief officer, and other colors for specialty personnel. However, no matter the color of the helmet, each one requires a significant amount of both effort and ability to gain a new piece of the "fire rainbow." 

I only spent eight years in active service, four in the Greensboro NC area in both fire and EMS work, plus another four years in the Syracuse NY area. I didn't run for an officer's rank for two reasons. First was because I was unsure if my full-time job that often cost me 60-80 hours per week, would impede on my ability to the the job often enough and adequately. Second was due to the fact that officers were elected. Just because I had a good time with a guy who was funny, had more years in than me, and was popular with the ladies, didn't necessarily mean that I wanted to go through that door into that flaming hallways with him telling me what to do.

Instead, I watched my officers and chiefs. Plus, my own job required me to develop strong leadership skills. And thankfully, I was able to convince my employers to send me to various seminars where I could learn even more. Whatever I absorbed from the seminars, I brought back with me to assist me in improving my job performance. My employers deserved that!

For example, on one occasion, my employer, (a non-profit organization) sent me to a fund-raising seminar in New York. The first day was amazing with methods, advice, ideas, etc., not for my employer, but for my fire department. The second day was very weak, so I left the meeting and headed over to the nearest FDNY firehouse, where I was invited to lunch and to ride on a couple of calls with the BC in the house.

Upon my return a made a full report to the executive committee of my employer. As expected, they blew it off as too simple or too "pedestrian" for them. Instead, I took it with me and presented it at the next department business meeting. Up until that time, our fundraising efforts were very weak, but several of these ideas caught some good attention. A couple of months later, we began our first ever, direct-mail fundraiser. In three weeks time, we collected over $17,000 in donations. Suddenly, I was a "hero" and popular. Did that qualify me to become elected a lieutenant? I don't think so. In 1983, that was like hitting the state lottery! We did it again the following year and almost doubled the amount and my understanding is that they do it every year.

Since I left active service due to an injury back in 1985, I never left the fire service or let it leave me. I constantly read industry magazines. I'd visit firehouses wherever I lived and wherever I visited. The fire service is as much a part of me as is my religious faith. Moreover, my vocation required me to learn and gain more leadership skills. And through that effort, I learned a lot more about myself.

I learned that when reacting to an unexpected situation, there was no need to "shoot from the hip." Instead, I learned to gather as much information as possible, digest it, and develop a proper, well-thought out response. I learned that being the loudest voice in the room did not make me a leader. I learned that being the largest "presence" (psychologically and/or physically) did not make me a leader. I learned that letting my anger loose before I had considered all the facts, didn't make me a leader.

So, what did I find did make me a leader. Being knowledgeable, calm and able to communicate instructions or directions to all made me a better leader. I learned that asking people to perform a task instead of ordering them to perform the very same task, made me a better leader. Not only that, these traits also made me a better person, a better husband and father. 

More importantly, after I became disabled in 1992 at the tender age of forty, I had to deal with a my life being turned upside down. And it occurred just two months after purchasing our dream home. Now what would I do? The answer was right in front me. My daughters were young and in school. And once I recovered from my surgery, I involved myself in their lives, driving them to school, from elementary through high school. I found part-time jobs that interested me. 

I will not lie to you and say that it was all peaches and cream. It wasn't. I drifted into some very dark places in my head. Here I went from earning an almost six-figure income to existing on a private disability policy and my wife's income from working four different teaching jobs. I wasn't the man I wanted to be. I wasn't the man I thought they wanted me to be. 

Thankfully, I had good friends. Not mere acquaintances, but real, true friends. They helped me through the rough times. And they taught me even more about being a good leader. That was that I didn't have to shoulder my burdens all by myself. I had people who were ready, willing and able to assist me. I also learned that no matter my physical condition on any given day, I should try to improve something about myself every day. For no matter how much we want to or how hard we try, we can never, ever re-gain time we have lost or wasted. It's gone. That's it! 

Now, it's your turn. Do you want to be a leader; a strong, influential, and well-respected leader? If so, know that if you really want to do it, you can and you will. Just follow the best path to get there. Be the leader that you would want to follow. 

And #StaySafe!

 

 

Progress....Follow by the Results From Hitting a Brick Wall

We had a very productive week. After attending to my religious observances, one of my partners, Tom, joined me at a meeting with the Greater Philadelphia Office for Film & Television (www.film.org). We met with the Executive Director Sharon Pinkenson and her Production Coordinator, Erin Jackson Wagner. They were very cordial and welcoming and are looking forward to the production ramping up. They also are very helpful as they coordinate all the meetings with the necessary departments from the city and the various departments we will be working with. They know their stuff and are very, very good at it! As matter of fact, we closed the meeting my asking for some suggestions for the location scouting we were going to do the next day, and after we explained what we were looking for, they both chipped in with numerous suggestions.

The next day, Tom and I headed out bright and early to visit some parts of the city. Philly is a good-sized city so we decided to find the area that would be most appropriate to the three different active fire scenes that will have to be shot. Reviewing my notes, I have nearly 20 specific areas to consider, but there is one that really stood out. The Film Office will also help us in searching the records for the properties to see which ones might be available for use. We are very lucky to be working with such professionals and I'm sure their guidance will be a major asset to our efforts.

Now, we must concentrate on the work that needs to be done to get ready for the launch of our crowdfunding effort to raise the necessary funds for the shoot. The first thing we have to do is create what is referred to as a "pitch reel" or a "sizzle reel." It is a short video in which we explain why we're making this effort to shoot our pilot episode. We have no more than two minutes to convince a viewer to support our efforts financially. However, don't think that that is the only way for you to help. You can also assist us by telling your friends and family to follow us on Twitter (@DalmatProd). Additionally, if you or someone you know is affiliated with a company that works with the fire-rescue service in any manner, let them know about our efforts. We will be looking for corporate sponsorship in return for promotional consideration in the show. 
==============================================================
Those of you who have been reading our blog regularly know that one of our major concerns and causes is firefighter health and wellness. Sadly, just this week, we lost a 50 year old, battalion chief from South Carolina to a cardiac episode.

A couple of weeks ago, I told you about my neighbor, a 17-year veteran of the fire service and four more with EMS. He was scheduled for a knee replacement and was sent for his pre-op evaluation. During the EKG, the doctor saw an irregularity and told him he had to get his butt over to the office of two "interventional" cardiologists. He was scheduled for a full thalium stress test. The results that showed up were so critical that they stopped the test and had him admitted right away. When all the tests were done, he found out his capacity was at 35%, he had a thickening of atrial wall, had suffered a silent MI and needed a stent immediately. He also found out that he had to put in his disability retirement papers.

Now I don't care who you are. When you are passionate about the job you do and you love to do that job, getting this kind of news is like running into a brick wall. And that is the way it hit him.

I had the chance to chat with him a short while this morning. He's begun the disability paperwork. He's following the doctors' orders, taking his meds and most of all, working hard to lose weight. But he told me that a few weeks ago, he found himself in that "dark place." Some of us know of what he speaks and some of us don't. But we'll just call it a bad depression. Here he was, going great, loving his job at a very busy station, with 17 years under his belt and looking forward to those last three to retire under the Florida state plan. Instead, his entire world collapsed around him. 

The same thing happened to me twenty-three years ago, when I finally had a good job paying me very well and two years into it, I had a backache. Next thing I know, I have two herniated disks, multiple surgeries and am diagnosed with "failed-back syndrome." I was disabled. Once I got past all the surgeries, injections, etc., and I was back home all alone, with my kids in school and my wife already working three jobs, I felt like the biggest loser in the world. True, I had a private disability policy that covered me, however it didn't pay anything near what I had been making before I got hurt. And the worst part was that by now, the doctors concluded that my back was probably damaged when I partially fell through the floor of a burning house during a training program by the State of North Carolina. But it was only a presumption. No way ti prove it, though I did cause me to blow one knee out and that was covered. 

As my neighbor was explaining this to me, I interrupted him for a moment and said, "I know you absolutely hate having to put in your papers, but I'm damned glad you are still here to put them in."

So, what about you? Are you going to make it to retirement?  No one can make any guaranties, but we can do all we can to remain or get ourselves healthy. Please....for your family, for your friends, for yourself, embrace the new Firefighter Health Initiative. 

Thanks for stopping by.....Stay Safe

The Strength That Comes From Remembering....Plus More on the Show!

This evening, my mind is still stuck on, "yesterday.." I just landed in Philadelphia. I'm here for a dual purpose. Our older daughter lives here, where she works for the Philadelphia Zoo. She also works at a synagogue in Bucks County several times a month. Several weeks ago she called with a predicament. The man who normally chants the service (cantor) had been ill and had undergone surgery. In and of itself, that isn't critical. However, they did not think he would be well enough to assist in leading the prayers for the Jewish High Holidays that begin tomorrow evening and would she be willing to lead them.

The predicament? While she can lead prayers on any Sabbath or one of the three major festivals, she did not know the melodies required for the very special holidays. "But," she explained to the Rabbi, "My father has been doing it for over forty years!" After a little negotiating, etc. I agreed and now, not only am I chanting the services, but I am doing with with my daughter! And... even better is that our younger daughter is coming in from NYC as well. We will be blessed as we celebrate together and pray that we are written and inscribed in the Book of Life for a good, healthy and prosperous year in the new Jewish year that begins this weekend, 5776.

So, yesterday was an extremely important day for many families. However, there we not looking at a joyous reunion as we are, for their reunions would only be those of them with the memories, photos, and videos of their loved ones who were lost in the attacks of 9-11. And we, we the links for those families to their loved ones. For every flag hoisted, every step climbed. every salute, we all helped to build a bridge for each of those families; a bridge that linked one generation to the next. To that end, I spent several hours, hitting, "Favorite," and "Retweet" to every tweet posted relating to 9-11. There were hundreds and eventually, I lost count. But they were there, as were we.and as we will be for every year that marks this tragedy, as long as the good Lord gives us the breath to do so! We vow as one, "Never Forget!"

 Now, a little more on the show. The other reason that I am in Philly is to attend our first meeting on Tuesday the good people from the Greater Philadelphia Office for Film and Television. We worked briefly with this office back in 1999-2000, when we were shooting the two original pilots for "America's Heroes: The Men & Women if Fire Rescue." Now, all these years later, the office is instrumental in putting us together with the Fire Commissioner Sawyer of the Philadelphia Fire Department, the Philadelphia Police Department and other city departments that will have to be pulled together to allow us to shoot a great pilot episode.

I wrote a few tweets earlier today, as people have been volunteering their assistance, and expertise, to help us with the show. I promise you, there will be a time in the not too distant future when we will call upon all of you and many, many more to help us. 

As I've mentioned earlier, we will be using a crowdfunding platform to raise funds to allow us to produce this pilot. But that is still several weeks down the road. Right now, the best help you can offer is to start talking us up to your family, friends and coworkers. Tell them about our struggle for over twenty years to bring a show to television, that tells the real stories of the men and women of fire-rescue. Ask these people to log into our Twitter account and look for @DalmatProd.Tell them about this blog at bit.ly/DalmatProd and our website at bit.ly/Cause-Origin.

Is that it? Nope...not by a long shot. Here comes a very crucial area. We have been very, very lucky over the past few weeks, as we've watched the number of our Twitter followers to rise and rise. Not only that, but in those new followers are some of the best and brightest names in the fire service today; chiefs and officers, lecturers and instructors, and many more. 

Even though we will launch a crowdfunding campaign, we believe that the money needs to come from more than just Mr. & Mrs. John Smith. There are many, many commercial companies who manufacture and sell important products to the fire service. From apparatus to nozzle tips; from steel-toed rubber boots to AFFF. We wish to offer these companies the 

opportunity to become commercial supporters of the pilot, for which they will receive promotional consideration of various types. We do not have the entire program locked down yet, but we will soon. What is important that those of you who work wit these companies or have an excellent purchasing program with them educate them about our show and get them interest in playing an active part in its development.

Yes, there's still a lot of work for us to do. However, we are in the best position we ever have been to make something happen that will shed a new, bright, "shining" light on the brave men and women of the fire-rescue services in the U.S. and Canada.

Again, many thanks for all of the support. It is deeply appreciated.

Steve Greene

President