August 2011 Blog Posts (29)

While many hard-working Americans were busy trying to eek out a living and saving towards their retirement, our elected officials were busy stealing our America’s dream. Hope for a better tomorrow was fading as each new bill was passed in the dead of night and contrary to the majority of public opinion.

You realize that the mess that this country is in is our own damned fault; right?

Of course, I would expect many to disagree because we…

It is in great sadness and with heavy hearts, that we as a Brotherhood post the 61st Line Of Duty Death for 2011 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter Timothy White has made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to our brothers family and the members of the Cedar Lake Fire Department.



Timothy R. White

Rank:…

Check out www.averagejakeff.wordpress.com for all my thoughts on the fire service.

Also hit me up on twitter @averagejakeff

I had the pleasure of visiting with some outstanding firefighters at the "75th" Southern Wisconsin Northern Illinois Fire Rescue Association fire school in Monroe Wisconsin this weekend. The conference was very attended with a great program with a real local focus. The school started 75 years ago and for several years it rotated from city to city and eventually found its home in Monroe. The Monroe folks have some outstanding facilities and an incredible FD with exceptional leadership the…

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Humor is a powerful drug! We use it on a daily basis without even knowing it, and it's a medicine with healing and regenerative effects. At times, the things we talk and joke about in the fire service would seem crass and inappropriate to the general public, but it…

You can be gone in a flash in a flashover, a collapse, a vehicle accident, a fall or in a less violent but every bit as insidious manner such as a heart attack.

It can be sudden and without warning and it leaves many to ask the question, “Why”?

My brother-in-law George was walking down the hallway of…

One of the headlines on FireEngineering this morning reads"NY fire dept says it's recruiting more minorities".  This statement doesn't sit well with me....

I come from Vermont...potentially the least diverse state in the Union.  So maybe it's just my lack of experience dealing with racial issues, or maybe it's my lack of understanding on WHY IT MATTERS?  Wasn't the whole civil rights movement about getting past the color of someones skin?  I get it...there were terrible,…

If you haven't heard yet, one of the best Brothers and instructors in our Fire Service, recently retired from 32 years with the FDNY. No doubt Chief Salka is far from done with his instructing and providing leadership to us by any means. It just means he will hopefully have more time with his family at home and us around the country.

Please join me in congratulating him for his service, dedication and all he has done and does for our profession in keeping our Brothers and…

It is in great sadness and with heavy hearts, that we as a Brotherhood post the 59th Line Of Duty Death for 2011 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter Jeffrey Cocke has made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to our brothers family and the members of the Altavista Fire Department.



Jeffery Alan Cocke

Rank: Firefighter…

Hey Friends, I recieved this from Tim Leidig, Mundelein FD please take a minute and sign the petition for Forest Reeder for Illinois Instructor of the year.

I am petitioning you to support Forest Reeder as the 2011 Illinois Instructor of the Year.  I have attached a link for you to complete the survey.  I would like to make (2) requests of you: 1. Please! keep this document and request clear of Forest, 2. If you have mailing groups who will support this petition, please forward the…