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Common Sense Firefighting

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Lives in:: GROVEVILLE, HAMILTON TWP, MERCER COUNTY, NJ

Department:: GROVEVILLE FIRE CO. (VOL), CITY OF TRENTON, NJ FD (RET)

Title/rank:: PAST FIRE CHIEF GFC (RETIRED)/ TFD - (Tractor Drawn Aerial) LADDER CO. 2 DRIVER (RETIRED) / US NAVY LAKEHURST FD FIRE CAPT.

Years of public service:: VOL: GFC 43, CAREER: TFD 26, DOD-US NAVY LAKEHURST (CIV. FF) 10

Agency structure:: Combination fire department

Top issues in your department:: Being retired now from the Fire Service (disabling injury on the job from a training exercise of all things!), I don't get to see first hand what is happening most of the time however, I keep connected with my guys.
Also from what I have experienced there are two issues, no. 1, is how to and using ones head - common sense and no. 2, is basic training evolutions - the 'nuts and bolts' things that can make or break the fire ground.
Examples: picking the proper size hose for the fire, simple lays - pulling off a hand line and flaking it out, stretching it up a stairway, using the nozzle to its full potential. Proper teaching of and basic pump/hydraulics - ie. the right pressures, knowing just how a pump actually 'pumps water' (lots of guys don't have a clue!!!). Picking the proper ladder and knowing how to place and raise it and what raise to use, proper venting procedures and safety, simple forcible entry and using the right tools like at times a nice heavy sledge hammer instead of 'beating the lock to death' with an axe. Simple things, basic things, common sense things. In other words the basic things needed on the FG to get the job done. I see a lot of 'specialized' training and special operation job types and tons of training for those and they do have their place HOWEVER, most everyone seems to forget the basic nuts and bolts jobs. They seem to get pushed to the back because they are not the glorified ones.
The 'nuts and bolts' are what holds things together, without them, things fall apart in a hurry, remember that.

Professional Qualifications:: I'm "Old School" taught.
Past Fire Chief (Vol) GFC - held for 13 years and came up through all the ranks.
(Retired) TDA Ladder driver/operator
City of Trenton NJ FD, Ladder Co. 2
Former Fire Captain, US Navy Lakehurst, NJ
Engine Co. 2 and 3 and Captain of a Crash Truck Crew
College and specialized training throughout my tenure in the fire service.

Topics you provide training for:: BASICS - 'putting the wet stuff on the red stuff'.
Engine Co. Ops,
Ladder Co. ops,
Command, Operations and Logistics.
Hydraulics and pumps, water supplies and relays.
Fire ground water supply and delivery in hydrant and non-hydrant areas.

Areas of expertise:: Engine Co. Ops,
Ladder Co. ops,
Command, Operations and Logistics.
Apparatus and Equipment specifications.
Hydraulics and pumps.
Fire ground water supply and delivery in hydrant and non-hydrant areas.

Bio:: Married, 3 children, 8 grand children.
Enjoying retirement, fishing, remodeling projects.
Also lets not forget that never ending 'honey-do list' of things that need to be done.

I have been in the fire service all my life. Come from a Fire Service family, Dad, was a past Fire Chief and Commissioner, Mother was a past ladies Aux. President for 30+ years, Grandfather was a past Fire Chief, numerous Aunts and Uncles in fire service too.
My oldest son is a volunteer in GFC.

***Also looking for an interesting part time gig, maybe work from home?

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