Jay Lowry's Blog (19)

• The emphasis on "truck work" is picking up speed in certain areas whilst in others it is treated with contempt. How is it possible to view truck work with disdain?
• Working out at the gym with other firefighters led to a discussion about people who are obese but doing nothing to address it. Their goal, it is surmised, is to make rank quickly with hopes of never having to pull their weight.
• Failure on the fireground can often be traced to the training ground.
• If

The dernier cri of politicians is now "the economy is killing our town, city, state." Whilst true in many cases it is an old statement, used far too often during the past three decades. Our economy is in poor shape but we can't allow it to destroy public safety.

From Atlanta to Phoenix the cuts in staffing, closing of stations, and other "proactive budgetary moves" are leaving tremendous gaps in protection. This isn't acceptable even within the framework of a larger, dismal economic pi

If you have never experienced a fire muster there is a golden opportunity on August 23, 2008. The North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum will hold a fire muster in the parking lot in North Charleston.

The museum is located near the Tanger Outlet mall. It's easy to access from either I-26 or the Mark Clark Expressway. Readers of Firefighter Hourly who want to fly in for the one day event will find the

FDIC is always a splendid show. Sadly, for the three of us who went up together, a death in the family led us back much earlier than we anticipated. However, whilst walking the convention floor, I was able to view the best and brightest the fire service has to offer.

One of the highlights for me were the brothers from Bavaria. Courteous, friendly and ready to learn they were a joy to watch.

Of course the entire trip is in the back of our minds because a friend and brother lost a

Yesterday I was in the state capitol and whilst driving to a friends house I noticed an engine company sitting in front of a house with a line off the rig. Certain the second due would pull up shortly I hastened to get by but noted the piece of apparatus was parked in front of a sloping driveway. It bothers me.

Apparatus parked in front of sloping driveways are targets. If a garage is burning and flammable liquids pour down the driveway guess where they will collect? The driver, busy w

In various times of our lives we are fortunate to meet people who profoundly impact the way we think. The first person to alter the way I thought was William F. Buckley who took the time to write back to me when I was but ten years old. Later I met Harry Griffin, Andy Fredericks and Mo. In the near past I've become friends with Bobby Halton who is as good a guy as you would ever want to meet. He seems to come along and correct my flightpath just prior to a disaster!

The fire service al