Lawrence Schultz's Page

I’ll start off as always with my shout-outs for this blog. This one goes to 1^st Lieutenant Sarah Read, of the Chili Fire Department Explorer program. You will see why as you read through the blog.  

In the past couple years, two reoccurring themes have been proposed in the various classes we have taught throughout the states. First is the demise of the fire service because of “The New Kids” and second is their lack of understanding of pride, tradition and honor.…

I am taking a break from my typical anarchist message and, pleading with you to read this very personal story as a personal assessment tool. I am a fire service traditionalist to the core and my style of writing is always intended to offer an opposing (or alternative) view of what I term the “overzealous safety culture”. My issue(s) are not, nor have they ever been about safety itself, but our approach to assessing and managing risk, without using emotional coercion.

I am going to…

Recently, while teaching a hands-on-engine class in Delaware, my younger and wittier teaching companion Roger Steger, found it was time for our traditional protein bar and Monster (drink) run. As he headed out the gate, he stopped and asked me if I needed some Metamucil to go with my Ensure. This was his not-so-subtle way of reminding me that I am old. It was day two of, running long-lines, pushing in with large lines and box-alarm drills, and on top of that, it was 97 degrees. I needed…

At every teaching opportunity, I make it a point to spend plenty of time talking about risk assessment and risk management. For the sake of discussion lets focus strictly on fireground operations.

My concern is and continues to be a growing and unashamed trending towards total risk aversion.  I have theorized that there are many reasons for the rapid expansion…