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Matt McDowell Male Bluffton, SC United States: Share on Facebook MySpace Tweet

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Matt McDowell's Page

Profile Information

Department:: Bluffton Township Fire District

Title/rank:: Lieutenant

Agency structure:: Paid fire department

Top issues in your department:: Transitioning to a large suburban fire department due to rapid growth of both population and community needs.

Professional Qualifications:: Degree in Fire Administration
Fire Officer
Fire Instructor
US&R Rescue Specialist
Lowcountry FOOLS- President
Safe Firefighter, LLC- President/Owner (www.safefirefighter.com)

Topics you provide training for:: Basic Firefighting
Firefighting Strategy and Tactics
Firefighter Survival
RIC
Engine and Truck Driver Operations

Areas of expertise:: See Above

Bio:: Matt is a Lieutenant for the Bluffton Township Fire District (SC), is an Instructor for the South Carolina Fire Academy and President of the Lowcountry FOOLS. He has a degree in fire administration and teaches basic firefighting, rapid intervention and firefighter survival both locally and statewide. He has previously served as the Training Officer for Hardeeville Fire/Rescue (SC) and as a Firefighter for the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Web site:: http://www.safefirefighter.com

Matt McDowell's Blog

A Mad Lib "On Firefighting"

“[A] FIREFIGHTER who is uncertain whether he can SAVE someone, or [a] FIREFIGHTER who for religious or moral reasons knows he will not ENTER A BURNING…

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Posted on January 9, 2013 at 9:30am

The Fireground is Like Loading a Dishwasher

I suppose I am fortunate that one of the only ongoing debates between my wife and I are the nuances of loading the dishwasher. You see, I load the dishwasher the way it was designed to be loaded. My wife, she believes randomly loading the dishwasher. We both think that our respective methods work best for fitting the most dishes and getting the job done the best. Much like the fireground, and numerous other “hot topics” right now, there are many different opinions and theories on the…

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Posted on October 12, 2012 at 8:10pm

First Due Friday; Heavy Fire, Standpipe Ops & Mayday! (Video)

This video is a great training tool for size-up, radio comms & Command presence. This FD sounds very professional despite difficult fire conditions. This week we've got heavy fire & smoke on an upper floor w/ standpipe ops in progress and a Mayday called while transitioning to Defensive Ops. Compare this FD's ops to your FD and give us your RECEO VS considerations. Enjoy!…

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Posted on April 13, 2012 at 9:32am

First Due Friday; "Houston" We Have a Problem!

THE SCENARIO: HEAVY FIRE from the attic w/ extension to TWO other houses! If this one doesn't test the strength and discipline of your crews and alarm assignments, congratulations! Give us the report and your RECEO VS considerations. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO!

Posted on March 2, 2012 at 10:11am

Comment Wall (6 comments)

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At 10:27am on September 21, 2011, Shawn Paulson said…: hey Matt i need to speak with you shoot me an email please firefighter647@yahoo.com

At 8:46am on February 25, 2011, Dave Stacy said…: how long ago were you at the big 1 house?

At 9:22pm on October 7, 2010, Jason Hoevelmann said…: Thanks for the ad, stay safe and stay low.
Jason

At 5:39pm on October 7, 2010, David Malcomson said…: Your bio has Hardeville FD on there. Do you know Shane Comparetto? He and I both grew up in the Ohio Valley.

Be safe.

Dave

At 5:40pm on October 6, 2010, Art Zern said…: Hey Matt,

Thanks for the add, have we met? When I recieved your invite, I took a look at your info and postings. Always great to "meet" a passionate FOOL.

Art

At 9:43am on October 1, 2010, Rick Lasky said…: Be safe brother and stay in touch!

Rick

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