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COMPANY DRILLS

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Air Management - The Sea…

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The Battalion.TV: True R…

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Common Sense Firefighting

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John Barrett's Discussions

Response to Natural Gas Emergencies

Started Mar 10, 2011

In search of information

Started Jul 18, 2010

Looking for a study on bunker gear contamination
1 Reply

Started this discussion. Last reply by Jeff Schwering May 8, 2010.

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John Barrett's Page

Profile Information

Lives in:: Winnsboro, TX

Department:: Plano (TX) Fire Rescue

Title/rank:: Lieutenant

Years of public service:: 15 as firefighter, 5 as 911 operator / dispatcher

Agency structure:: Paid fire department

Top issues in your department:: Plano Fire Rescue is an all-hazards metro-sized fire department that provides protection for close to 300,000 residents within 72 square miles. 386 personnel respond to over 25,000 calls for service annually from 13 stations with 13 engines, 5 trucks, 8 MICUs, 1 (EMS) squad, 2 battalions and 1 utility (air/light) vehicle. Operations works 24/48 with 110+ firefighters assigned per shift and a minimum daily staffing of 97 personnel - engines and trucks are staffed with four personnel and battalions have drivers. The city will grow to over 300,000 by 2020.

Plano Fire has many challenges in the years ahead as we complete the transition from a growing suburban department to a metro-sized urban/suburban department. Some of these challenges include:
- developing a training division that has been historically undersupported (staffing/resources/facilities/budget)
- senior and company level leadership succession and development
- a changing built environment (as an example a nearly 200% increase in highrises in the next 2 years)
- huge personnel turnover (1/5 of department currently has less than 3 years on the job, over half the department will have less than 10 years by 2022)

Professional Qualifications:: FF2 (TX ADVANCED) / EMT / DRIVER OPERATOR / INSTRUCTOR II / HAZMAT TECH / OFFICER II / ISO

Topics you provide training for:: Firefighter I and II (Texas Basic Structural Firefighter)
Firefighter Safety
Engine Company Operations

John Barrett's Photos

John Barrett's Blog

Consider your words carefully when demeaning those who speak of "safer firefighters"!

Perception is reality...and a large part of one's perception is based upon their environment... past, present and their expected future.

For example, if you are around positive people the majority of your life then you more than likely will have a bright outlook on things and most who cross your path will consider you to be a smiling optimist. Conversely, if you spend most of your time around people and situations that steep in negativity then you will probably share a life view full… Continue

Posted on November 2, 2010 at 7:30pm — 4 Comments

RIDING BACKWORDS...A Rookie's Perspective on Issues Affecting the Fire Service

RIDING BACKWORDS – September 2010

Open Door Policies

Generally speaking, an open door policy refers to the availability of management to any employee at any level. Open door policies allow employees to step outside the traditional boundaries created by the hierarchy of an organization – what we know as the chain of command. Open door policies permit employees to bring their concerns to the appropriate level they feel can provide the impetus necessary to… Continue

Posted on September 14, 2010 at 5:30pm

HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES

Tomorrow markes the 3rd anniversary of the passing of nine Charleston firefighters at what has become known as the Sofa Super Store fire. This incident was the inspiration behind my efforts to create an organization to HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES by gathering, preserving and promoting lessons learned from line-of-duty-death incidents. Please say a prayer for those left behind from that horrible day; and to those friends in the fire service don't forget to HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES...because the lessons… Continue

Posted on June 17, 2010 at 9:30pm — 1 Comment

RIDING BACKWORDS...A Rookies Perspective on Issues Affecting the Fire Service

When make do shouldn't do

Firefighters and emergency medical workers must be largely optimistic - if they weren't then how or why would they want to do the job. Is a pessimist going to routinely put themselves in a position to respond to what may be the worst day of someone's life and expect to make it better - or at least make a difference? If they believe that they can’t/won't be able to make a difference then why even respond? An optimistic attitude is essential for success for… Continue

Posted on May 25, 2010 at 2:30pm — 4 Comments

New Personalized Leather Helmet Raffle

HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES is raffling a Brand New Personalized Phenix TL2 Leather helmet(s) to continue to provide financial support for our mission of providing the fire service with a free to use and easy to access line-of-duty-death lessons learned database. We are hopefully just weeks away from unveiling our new website and when that happens we will be eagerly searching for information from around the country to add to it. This new effort will require another marketing campaign (and this will… Continue

Posted on January 25, 2010 at 1:12pm

Comment Wall (24 comments)

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At 6:42am on March 2, 2012, Christopher Huston said…: Thanks for finally logging on and accepting my friend request. LOL! Well it looks like I will see you in a few weeks......FDIC or BUST!!

At 8:32am on September 9, 2010, Justin Lewis said…: thanks for the add John! Be Safe!

At 5:53pm on May 23, 2010, Jeff Schwering said…: Sounds good Brother talk to you Monday.

At 4:16pm on May 8, 2010, Jeff Schwering said…: I'm on our PPE committee as well, and have been doing 95% of the work! Check out my first blog on the main page, has alot to do with dealers and salesman, found some interesting things out in Indy Bro!

Stay Safe!
Jeff

At 5:43pm on November 6, 2009, Christian Cossey said…: How's it going?

At 8:36pm on January 27, 2009, Dan Walker said…: John,
No problem. I will place an order for about four of us that are in the group. Thanks

Dan

At 6:28pm on January 16, 2009, Dan Walker said…: Hi John,
Are you going to have any t-shirts at FDIC? If not I will get it now. Also can I have your permission to put a hot link to your website on our fire department web site. It just gives my FF's a hint everytime they log in. Dan

At 1:06am on January 16, 2009, Marty Mayes said…: What's up in College station? I would be up to ride along!

or late afternoon works well for me too

Marty

At 7:36pm on January 15, 2009, Marty Mayes said…: How about Tues?

At 9:06pm on January 7, 2009, Brad Hoff said…: John,

I would be interested in finding out more about what the position involves. I am always up for attending training and conferences rather than dealing with the tragedies but that is the reason we are doing this to keep HRE's from happening. I have your number and my cell is (907) 322-5676 and it's the best way to get in contact with me.

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