All Blog Posts (3,147)

Ready for today's question? Here we go!



Does you department have seat assignments on you apparatus?



If they do, tell us the number of people on the rig and what the assignments are. Also tell us why you like it and why you don't



If not, tell us why you think your department doesn't have them, and why you think they should. You can also tell us how many people you have on your rig.

Give your thoughts on First…

Like most other red, white and blue-blooded Americans, I savored the news that Osama bin Laden had been found and shot dead by a U.S. SEALs Team.

Blogger Sidebar: Has anyone else noticed that the mainstream media has been spelling “Osama” with a “U” instead of an “O”? I think you know why.

I have no doubt that bin Laden is dead. I have no reason to question the validity of our President’s claim. Therefore; I need no other “verification”, but I would view the “official”…

Late last year I was back in Kansas for a funeral and saw this building while in Hutchinson. Lets say your pulling up as the first due engine company with your 2nd due engine approx 4 minutes out. You have fire showing on the top floor with the possibility of people trapped as well...How is this building going to change your tactics or is it?

Post your thoughts on First Due Question: …

To see more of my work,…

You arrive on scene at the C-side of this structure as the first due engine company. Dispatch didn't provide any information other the "Structure fire" Answer the following questions:



What have we got here? (Provide an arrival report)

What is you size up?

What is you first impression as you are driving up the drive about line placement and life safety…

This is a question they use a lot in my department during new hire interviews. They are only allowed to answer one or the other and then explain why. When I ask people it is almost split down the middle as to what there decision is. Okay, you can only answer one or the other as well and then explain your reasoning for choosing that answer. And remember. "every situation is a situation."



You and your partner are assigned search to locate a child in an…

Well here we go...Little late due to a disney trip. This is something that EVERYONE in the fire service can relate too and discuss! From the 1 month guy to the veteran...You pull up on scene as a FF or an Officer..Are you already masked up and if so...why and if not...why????? Its seems pretty split. I see and "hear" alot of guys masking up in the truck (by muffled arrival reports) Lets set another comment record need to beat 22…

I just spent the most incredible week drawing and talking with our Nation's finest! Nope, not fire service personnel, but Sailors and Marines in San Diego. I was honored to take part in a Navy sponsored NCS/USO trip where we visited the USS Peleliu (an aircraft carrier), Naval Fleet Weather Center, Military Hospitals and VA wards, and participated in a panel…

Need something to spark some conversation at the station. Check out this website that a few of my buddies and I came up with. It's on Facebook and there is always a new question daily. Please stop by and check it out.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Due-Questions/181829911841961

I saw that face again Tuesday, you know the one. The face, of a fellow human being, that had just witnessed an event that would remain etched upon their mind.....forever. I have seen the face countless times over the 30 years I have been doing this job.



The face, of a father, kneeling over his daughter, in the middle of a busy street. He was crossing with his three kids and with only two hands, the older daughter got a bit ahead. The face, blood stained, from a father’s futile…

As I sat here contemplating what to write about this week, thinking about our fellow firefighters that have been injured or have paid the ultimate sacrifice on fires in or near wildland-urban interface areas already this year. Two firefighters injured in North Central Nebraska, A firefighter injured in Arizona, Two firefighters killed and I believe the total injured at one point was 8 firefighters injured on separate incidents here in Texas. And I have been wondering what is similar... and I…