Dan Miller's Page

Want to be a respected fire service leader some day? Start now.

Be a leader in front of others. Not an a**. Not a complainer. Not someone who sits out of things they disagree with or think they know already.

A leader has to practice leadership throughout their career. Take advantage of the extra education and training that comes along - and yes there is a difference. Even if this is the fifth time you've conducted the same drill in the last three years, it doesn't mean the rest…

Candidates for certification, whether individuals or organizations, should be required to demonstrate alone and as a team those skills and judgements that will be required when they hit the street. As instructors and leaders, that is our ultimate responsibility.

The fire and EMS world is ruled by certifications. These certifications are supposed to represent a referenced level of knowledge, skill, and ability, verifying that an individual can indeed perform to that level. In most…

Many fire departments designate one engine company as RIC on first alarm to a building fire. This is done to ensure that the responsibility of RIC is established early in the game and takes the place of the Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC) which is the “two-out” part of two-in, two-out. The use of a first alarm engine company as a dedicated RIC is an example of the Safety Engine concept in action.

Some but not all SOPs call for the replacement of this early dedicated RIC with a…

Maydays can and do occur in several different ways. Firefighters must master the skills needed to initiate a Mayday in any situation at any given time, depending on the circumstances. Before everyone carried portable radios and PASS devices, firefighters were frequently trained to initiate a Mayday by tossing their helmet out the window, hoping to get the attention of others that there was a problem. It was the best option at the time. Never saying that tossing a helmet…