John Salka

Monroe, NY

United States

Profile Information:

Lives in:
25 Woodard Rd. Monroe, NY 10950
Department:
FDNY
Title/rank:
Battalion Chief
Years of public service:
30
Agency structure:
Paid fire department
Top issues in your department:
FF survival
Safety
Tactics
Topics you provide training for:
Fire Tactics & Procedures for- House fires, commercial buildings, high rise, multi-building operations, top floor fires.
RIT Operations for both large and small departments
FF Survival- Get Out Alive, Bail-Out Systems, Staying out of Trouble.
Leadership- numerous programs
Technical Programs on - Power Saw ops, Forcible Entry
Search Rope Operations
Areas of expertise:
Firefighter Survival
Leadership
Bio:
John Salka is a 28 year veteran with the FDNY and a battalion Chief in the Bronx. He has instructed in numerous capacities at the FDNY Training Academy and is a nationally recognized instructor and lecturer. He is the author of "First In, Last Out - Leadership Lessons From the New York Fire Department" and has written for Fire Engineering.
Web site:
http://firecommandtraining.com

Comment Wall:

  • Joel Thacker

    Chief Salka,

    Thanks for the college for chief's blog. In my department we just recently established a requirement for an individual to have completed an associates degree in order to be eligible for the position of battalion chief. This requirement was not added to help the individual manage incidents better but manage personnel and department divisions better. Our battalion chief's either manage a division or have additional administrative duties. I believe the work completed in a degree program can assist an individual with many areas of fire service departmental management.

    Mar 22, 2008

  • Gerald "Jerry" Tracy

    Hi John
    The results of the research were more then we expected. We are formulating training segments for our Chief Officers, High Rise units; selected units issued HR Nozzles, etc. The entire department will be issued DVD’s and will eventually attend training that will explain in detail the scope of the live fire research, concept of stairwell pressurization and the enhanced fire ground efficiency and safety it will provide as never before. The alternate approach of “Taming the Dragon” or reducing the Blow Torch conditions with use of a (WCD’s) Wind Control Devices (Blanket or Curtain) and High Rise nozzles has proven to be very effective in conjunction with stairwell pressurization. I have heard that on some internet pages the HR nozzle has been referred to as the “Coward Stick”. I’m sure we can both agree whom ever they are WE know they have never been in the hallway approaching a Wind Driven Fire! In their best fantasy they wouldn’t make it, unless they actually wanted to go to the hospital for us to recognize that they really are A**#$%@&. We would wish they get the best of care including treatment of an experienced proctologist.
    Brooklyn Poly and NIST will be reviewing the data and hope to publish the final and comprehendible results by the end of the year. Dan Madrzykowski and Steve Kerber of NIST should both be at the FDIC in Indy. I hope to share some of the information during the High Rise workshop myself and Jack Murphy will offer on the Monday and Tuesday at FDIC.
    Jerry

    Mar 22, 2008

  • Joel Thacker

    Chief,
    Do you feel the chief of department should have a degree or do you feel that the course work offered around the county is enough?

    Mar 23, 2008

  • Jim Duffy

    Hey John
    Did you get e-mail
    The download time is limited if you did not get let me know?
    Ps I love the passion in your responses about Degrees

    Mar 25, 2008

  • Todd McKee

    Chief Salka: Are there any good sites that my crew could visit and train on for leadership? We would like drills we could do to work together as our shift got rearranged and we are all new working together. Thanks

    Mar 25, 2008

  • Mike Walker

    Concerning your preplans; I assume they are divided up by Occupancy Type? If so is there anyway I can see copies of them?

    Mar 25, 2008

  • Shawn Russell

    Ill be at FDIC hope to meet you while there I'm hoping to attend yours and Chief Laskys class.

    Mar 26, 2008

  • Mike Walker

    Hey Chief

    Sorry to hear about the High-rise fire that sent 30 of yours to the hospital. Hope all ends up well.

    God Bless

    Mar 28, 2008

  • Joel Thacker

    Chief,
    Are you interested in speaking to my department one night during FDIC?I know you are busy but if there was a night that you had available we would love to have you. We are located approx. 15 minutes due south of downtown Indy. If interested, let me know what night and a cost.

    Thanks,

    Joel

    Mar 29, 2008

  • Stephen Mickiewicz

    Chief, joined up, hope to see you at indy.

    Mar 30, 2008

  • Jake Oreshan, III

    Chief,
    I was in the Chief Officer class last week in Colonie. As usual, you hit the mark. I was very pleased to see you again(although I'm sure you don't remember me). I hope to keep in touch, and give you a shout when I am teaching near the city again. Thanks again.

    Apr 3, 2008

  • Rich Thode

    Chief, Don't let Halton see that loaner car. It's smaller than his. Thanks again for the Bridgeport class.

    Apr 3, 2008

  • Rob Gaylor

    Chief again I wanted to say thanks. I attended a couple of classes this year at FDIC. I told you about the email a couple of years ago. Thanks maybe some of that information will give someone enough knowledge to keep them a little safer.

    Apr 12, 2008

  • Shane Furuta

    Chief, you put on another great class in Indy this year. I'll be sure to keep in touch. Hopefully we can get you down here soon!

    Aloha -Shane

    Apr 26, 2008

  • John Aldrich

    CHIEF, just wanted to take a minute to thank you for the support you have given fire departments from coast to coast. good luck with all you do in the future.
    be safe out there!

    Apr 29, 2008

  • Barry Aptt

    Chief, welcome. I have seen you many times and met you once in MA and RI during training seminars. I am looking forward to seeing your seminar in August in Duxbury, MA. I own your book already .. but looking forward to getting it signed.

    May 11, 2008

  • Ron Becknell

    Chief,
    I just learned you will be speaking at the SC Firefighters' Association Conference. I am hoping to get a chance to meet you there. I am thrilled that the SCFA has finally elevated its conference to the level it is this year, I only hope it continues.

    Jun 13, 2008

  • Richard Michitsch

    Chief,
    I wanted to thank you for writing your book “First In, Last Out. Outstanding book so far. I am a new officer in my Volunteer Department and have found that your book can be applied to both the fire service, as well as, my regular job.
    Thank you!
    DON’T be the next one, BE safe!
    Richard

    Jun 23, 2008

  • Scott Thompson

    Howdy Chief:
    The boys and I are heading out to watch the Rangers beat the Yankees tonight...again, and I thought about you and just wanted to take a minute to say hi. Hope all is well and we will see you in Texas soon.

    Scott

    Aug 6, 2008

  • Barry Aptt

    Chief,

    Thank you for accepting my inviteas a friend on this page. I am honored to be in such great company. Stay safe down there

    Sep 14, 2008

  • John Aldrich

    Chief,
    I look forward to hearing you in Oregon in January. It will be the first time I have had a chance to see you in person. Thank you for coming to the west coast.

    Oct 6, 2008

  • Mark Lee

    Hey Chief,
    Coming to Dallas anytime soon?
    We are looking at possibly hosting a class after the first of the year. What does your calendar look like and how far in advance do you normally need?

    Oct 13, 2008

  • Kim Plash

    Hi John,

    Nice meeting you at Fire Engineering Weekend in Fort Worth.

    Kim Plash
    Educational Representative
    Columbia Southern University
    www.columbiasouthern.edu

    Oct 28, 2008

  • Barry Aptt

    Chief, I had a question about SOC training standards. How many hours initially and how many continuing hours do SOC members use in FDNY per year and how much do they devote to each discipline

    Nov 2, 2008

  • Brian Meroney

    Hey Chief, Enjoyed chatting with you & Chief Rick Lasky in Fort Worth. I have finally the Elevator company to work with me on my class. Thanks for the advise.

    Nov 3, 2008

  • John Barrett

    Chief,
    I just got done listening to your recent podcast with Chief Lasky...and I would like to ask you for a few minutes of your time to learn about our organization, HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES, website www.honortheirsacrifices.com

    Nov 24, 2008

  • Jim Mason

    Hey John,
    Just wanted to say hello, I've been so busy with Common Sense Firefighting on this site that I haven't been around the rest of it. Did you get to LA with the IAFF? I'm too busy with things and the holidays are comming quick. I just saw Doug Sloan from Total Fire here in Chgo and he showed me a pic of his boys serving with yours overseas. He said hello also.
    Take care
    Merry Christmas (Is that ok to say here? Ha)
    Jim Mason
    Chgo FD

    Dec 5, 2008

  • Doug Price

    Thanks Chief for the add. Hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas! Getting ready to read your book Firsrt In and last Out. Take Care!


    Doug

    Dec 17, 2008

  • john hall

    Read your book last week. Lots of great info, passed it on to others at station.
    Merry Christmas

    John

    Dec 23, 2008

  • Doug Price

    Chief, Hope you had a safe trip home. Just wanted to drop you a line and say thanks for today. I really enjoyed the class. I picked up alot of good stuff to use. Thanks again.
    Take Care.

    Doug

    Jan 31, 2009

  • Kelly Lowery

    Hey Chief!! Checked out the site and LOVE it!! Class was great this weekend! I hope to see you in Myrtle Beach!!! Hope your flight was decent!! Thanks again for everything!!

    Mar 9, 2009

  • Joshua Horton

    Hey Chief I hope your flight was uneventful and every "checked" the things that needed to be checked. See you in April.

    Mar 9, 2009

  • Don Huneke

    Chief the class in Pompano Bch was GREAT. Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!! Go Big Blue (Giants) Thanks for all the tips. Stay safe !!!!

    Mar 15, 2009

  • Debora R. Lewis

    Congrats on the recent graduation of your newest Marine!

    Semper Fi!

    Apr 23, 2009

  • Debora R. Lewis

    Got your new book, "The Engine Company" yesterday! Thanks again for passing on your knowledge and experiences.

    See you in Myrtle Beach...

    Debora

    May 9, 2009

  • Gary Barham

    I would like to say first and for most you are an inspiration to many like myself and you are on of the true leaders and the real deal to the fire service. I am currently reading your book " First in Last out". I am very pleased with the book and look at it in ways of making me a better fireman and person. Ol go RED SOXS

    Jul 23, 2009