All Blog Posts (3,147)

This weeks quick tip refers to what I call "Fast Shears". While working on extrication scenes we all know there is a long list of objects that will need to be cut (seatbelts, various plastic, wiring, wiring boots, weather stripping, patients clothing, etc). Many times they are small and "annoying" objects that don't warrant the psi and time taken using hydraulic cutters. Everyone claims to carry trauma shears or a cutting device, however more often…

Company officers (CO) have many responsibilities. Aside from the emergency scenes, they have nothing less than a balancing act going on in the fire station (or should have).  Our business is all about people, including our own people that we serve internally. We take care of each other like the family that we are. But are CO’s taking care of the needs of their firefighters as best as they can? Sometimes not. The CO is getting the work of the organization done through the firefighters. Most…

Today’s firefighters are equipped with an assortment of hand tools inside their pockets. These tools can save a firefighter from becoming entrapped while working inside a structure fire. We all carry them, some type of linesmen pliers, knives, door chocks, screw drivers, flash light, webbing, rope. These are all common tools that are found in one’s pocket, but how do you know when too much can be an overload? Or what to carry or not to carry? This article can bring some focus on the vast…

Many times we pass on opportunities to train or learn something although many situations lend themselves to doing so. Look for ways to incorporate the situation or circumstance that you are dealing with into a learning moment. The pictures below are of a company training on aerial ops with a candidate operator.



It was a call for an alarm sounding at a medical building after hours. After looking in the windows and doors and seeing no signs of smoke or fire and with the lock box key…

I know it’s been a while since my last post and yes – for those of you that liked the search posts there are more to come.

I have been working on a few projects that have taken time from me, and will continue to do so for most of the summer. However, I do have an assignment for you.  (Hence the title of the blog.)

School is out.  Where I live, it doesn’t start back till August 28^th.  So!  Here is what I want you all to do. “Make a Plan”.  Figure out what you are…

While speed during extrication is often critical, it comes at a high price without efficiency.  We must first learn the tools, develop skills, learn the how’s and why’s, practice teamwork, train, become efficient, with the result being speed of the operation.  Speed is the rate of one’s activity, in this case extrication skills.  Whether at a fire, during an extrication, or on special operations, it takes efficiency and training to foster speed. In referencing the…

priv·i·lege

: a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others

: a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud…

Each and every one of us comes from a different background, specializing in a different area of the greatest profession there is.  We can sit back and visualize what are strengths and weaknesses are, as well as where we would like to eventually end up in our careers.  No matter what part of the country your are from, our firefighters and leaders are subject to some of the…

How Can We Reach The Future Of Our Service?

Here's my Fire Engineering June issue cartoon, and to prove that blind luck does exist, here's a just published article from CBS about firefighter obesity.  …

            Sitting on my couch last night watching TV and just relaxing, I saw an update from Fire Engineering about a LODD in the Houston Fire Department. I read the details about the incident up to that point and immediately my thoughts went out to the firefighters in Houston and the affected families. There are usually a few things that go through my head when I hear about a line of duty death. The first thing is usually think about is that firefighters family and…

“This SOP is not for me to follow it must be for you…….Oh yes, well I know I wrote it, but I never intended to actually follow it……….I meant for you to follow it……well if you want too. The main thing here is that if something happens I can say that I had an SOP in place and you didn’t follow it so I won’t be…

I am a firm believer in the phrase "Never say never, never say always". Just remember each technique you are currently using was more than likely created from firemen trying something new. Extrication Quick Tip #11 is showing a directional pull of a steering wheel using hydraulic speaders, chain, and an A post. This technique is quick and easy to set up with limited…

The fire service is a unique place to say the least. Right or wrong, from the moment you walk in the doors of the firehouse or training academy you are being judged. Not just because it’s the fire service, but because it’s human nature. Now, don’t get me wrong, as a new person in the fire service it is fully your responsibility to be an upstanding, motivated, dedicated and…

At times numerous firefighters feel alone while they are at work, despite having numerous people around them.  Each day, firefighters everywhere feel as though they are the only ones that care. Caring in the fire service is a great thing because it usually results in pride and dedication; but what no one tells you is that it truly can become a curse to many of us.  Caring can bring an unexpected loneliness some days, caring can bring heavy self criticism, but in the end it is a…

AT THE NAIL

We begin and end our every shift day at the nail.…

Independence Day known as the Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 freeing our county from the “kingdom of Great Britain.” We celebrate this day with fireworks (dearly loved by our firefighters), picnics, family time and other celebratory activities in our communities.

We have to remember that Independence Day was hard fought and won by our forefathers as there was much blood spilled on the…

This is a story about two types of Rapid Intervention Teams. The Stagnant RIT, and the Progressive RIT. A RIT or Rapid Intervention Team is a group of firefighters who are organized together to rapidly intervene if a firefighter, or crew of firefighters need help on the fire ground. Think of it like this, RIT is the insurance policy for every person on the fire scene. This team keeps special tools and equipment together, so if there is a MAYDAY where a firefighter gets trapped, then this…