Chief Lasky's Classes

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rick Lasky on October 29, 2008 at 5:39pm

Thanks brother for your kind words. We all just need to keep pushing and good things will keep happening!!

Be safe buddy!

Rick

Permalink Reply by Leslie Pederson on November 10, 2008 at 9:40pm

I have attended his class! At the women in the fire service conference in Arizona last year. I read his chapters years ago, and have lived by them since! We have often been asked where we get the traditions and ceremonies from? Why do we have dinner together before our training nights? All those things I learned long ago, from Chief Lasky. So, Rick, I still give out those chapters, one at a time, to my firefighters as they progress through the ranks. I just brought on 2 more career captains, and yes, they did get changing shirts chapter. Often people ask, how do I keep the faith, the energy, the obvious love for the job? I tell them I think every day, I have the best job in the world, and nothing, (politics, firehall gosip, ect..) can bring me down after that. So, don't ever lose that, always look in the mirror, at your uniform, and think about how you truly do have the best job in the world!

Permalink Reply by Rick Lasky on November 15, 2008 at 8:02pm

Leslie Pederson said:

I have attended his class! At the women in the fire service conference in Arizona last year. I read his chapters years ago, and have lived by them since! We have often been asked where we get the traditions and ceremonies from? Why do we have dinner together before our training nights? All those things I learned long ago, from Chief Lasky. So, Rick, I still give out those chapters, one at a time, to my firefighters as they progress through the ranks. I just brought on 2 more career captains, and yes, they did get changing shirts chapter. Often people ask, how do I keep the faith, the energy, the obvious love for the job? I tell them I think every day, I have the best job in the world, and nothing, (politics, firehall gosip, ect..) can bring me down after that. So, don't ever lose that, always look in the mirror, at your uniform, and think about how you truly do have the best job in the world!

Permalink Reply by Rick Lasky on November 15, 2008 at 8:03pm

Thanks Leslie. You're the best!!

Be safe,

Rick

Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on November 15, 2008 at 8:25pm

I have not attended his class, but I am anxiously awaiting the opportunity. I agree with so much of what I have heard him say on line especially about "us" taking charge and teaching these dot commers to listen and learn. Every time I hold a training class for the newer guys, I start and finish with some history to hopefully instill some sort of connection between them and the past.

Permalink Reply by Marnie Price on November 16, 2008 at 9:36pm

My husband and I attended the Pride and Ownership class at Cleveland Communty College in NC on Sat. Nov. 15. The previous night we had drove up to the college from our hometown Valdese, NC to pick up our registration and see where the class was going to be held. On the drive home it had been raining and the fog was thick. As we were driving a mini van come in front of us from a side street just nearly missing us then hit the bank head on. To make a long story short, my husband wheeled the truck around and put on his stobes and lights to warn oncoming traffic. I jumped and ran to the victims which were a woman 30 years old and her 8 year old son. She had bilateral tib-fib fractures. My husband called for help on his handheld walkie while I statred attending to the patients. Thankfully the child was uninjured. We c-spine immobilized the woman applied a c-collar and splinted both fratured legs having to use two sticks off the ground to splint one of them cause that was all we had. All of this before the first helped had arrived. The next day I sat in Chief Lasky's class. I was in total awe of him! Everything he said was exactly how I have felt about the fire service for so long. Chief Lasky reaffirmed my faith in the best profession in the world and made me realize that the good Lord had placed my husband and I at that accident the night before. I could feel tears come to my eyes as Chief Lasky's words weighed heavy on my heart! He is an inspiration to us all and has the most wonderful personality! I have a great deal of respect for this man! I am proud that the Lord has called me to be part of the fire service and I am proud of my husband for not only his calling as a firefighter but also for his calling as a Mason. He, too, is an amazing man! Thank you Chief Lasky for telling it like it is and instilling pride in the fire service! You have friends for life in us!!! Marnie and Doug Price, Valdese, NC

Permalink Reply by Isaac Frazier on February 5, 2010 at 9:30pm

I have attended two of lasky's classes....1 in cocoa beach and one in St. Augustine...both were great!

Permalink Reply by Frozenhosehead on March 4, 2010 at 7:38pm

I should have replied to this a long time ago but there is so much here on the community that we sometimes cant take it all in. I have had the honor of attending our distinguished brother's Pride and Ownership Class twice in the last few years and both have been right here in my own backyard of Alaska (thanks for braving the wilds of our home and coming up here too buddy). I like others have often been mad at myself for letting things around the fire service get under my skin and ruffle my feathers and my hat is off to the many people like Chief Lasky for saying what so many in the fire service have been unable to say but so often feel. Pride and Owenership has given our profession the much needed uplifting that for so long has been missing for many of us in our lives.

Let me say that for some, Chief Lasky's lecture is like a much needed breath of fresh air or a good massage! For other's it's a slap in the face or a rude awakening that is sometimes needed to get one's self back on track. For me it was certainly the much needed jump starts to remember that we have a lot to live for, pass down and remember in our love of this profession.

I want to add that no matter what or when or how, sometime in your fire service career you will hit a wall or walls! It's a fact of life in any profession and one's persanal life. For some of us it's living in Alaska where the wall for some is living with three hours of light in the winter. Some firefighters feel it's the feeling of the loss of brotherhood or tradition or something else pertaining to the job. We will always have highs and lows in this profession and how long they last and or who or what may help us handle and overcome them is up to that particular individual.

So when you pear at your wall in awe of it's height, overcome it or simply walk around it, remember you are never alone beacause the brotherhood is not one person or group, it's the fire service as a whole and part of a "BIGGER PICTURE" to serve the greater good!


Sister Marnie, you and brother Doug have a special place in many lives and it's an honor and a priviledge to know you both and Chief Lasky and so many others in our profession that truly bring out the "Love for the Job"!

KTF

Permalink Reply by Robert "Bob" Halpin on June 23, 2010 at 1:15pm

I have attended several of his classes. I try to attend every chance I get. I always come away renewed. I use his book for my Intro to Fire class for the AAS degree program. My students watch his video on the first day of class. I challenge them that if they are not charged and ready to go right now, then I will help them find another avenue for them. I have seen the video multiple times but each time it puts the energy in the air! And on top of everything else, he is a very down to earth gentleman that will take the time to sign books, talk to you at schools, etc. Very approachable. Thanks Chief.