May 2014 Blog Posts (53)

Do you currently stage your equipment/tools on extrications? If not, it is a great method to reduce extrication times. Far too often, we see rescuers going back to the apparatus to get additional equipment throughout the call. My driver is the tool runner. After we start operations, he will continue to bring the tools, light the scene, and fill in where needed. Stage the tools you may need for the rescue at hand, it will greatly increase your overall scene time.…

The “Chauffeur”, or "FADO" (Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator) position in any fire department is without a doubt, one of the most critical jobs in the fire service. In department’s all across the country, Chauffeur’s are assigned or tested positions, increasing the company’s operations and situational awareness.  A good Chauffeur has qualities of adaptability, not only on the fire ground, but one that can perform in several positions at any given time.  One must understand that career or…

We all have them.  Some districts have more than others.  It’s the vacant home, trailer or business.  Kids play in them, people squat in them and we have fires in them.  As aggressive firefighters we understand that VACANT does not mean UNOCCUPIED.  Nearly ever week we see rescues made out of these “vacant structures”.  …

I'm confident our department isn't alone, but how many departments have to deal with that mutual aid department that knows everything?

They arrive on scene wearing Superman capes and teach you how to fight fire. Set up ventilation. Salvage and overhaul. They may even try to take command.

They may run 4 or 5 fires a year, but the only thing they know is this.

You're doing it wrong.

At the end of the day, you know how your department trains, works and understands…

When things go wrong, too many fingers are typically pointing in every direction except the one place they should be - at you!  If you're the problem, stop blaming others, step up, man up, fess up, and be accountable for your actions.



Besides, you're a little old to be claiming the dog ate your homework!

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Periodically I talk to women firefighters about the issues they are having in their departments related to the male firefighter mindset against them in their departments. The behavior borders on discrimination, harassment, hostile workplace, hazing and bullying coupled with plain rudeness making many women firefighters fear for their safety.

 I just got off the phone this morning…

This week is another retro-SOS from my original first few months. These were pictures only so now that we are broadcasting out to the FE community and in full blog mode I will add some commentary. Again, if you already saw this one I hope you get another laugh or affirmation that you are not alone in your…

Handlines. The essential tool in our arsenal, literally the object we use to fight fire. Big lines, little lines, booster lines, trash lines we all have them, but do we TRULY utilize them to their full potential? When I was just a rookie, going through my initial pump…

Put aside the emotion when considering adding to a number we try to lower each year

The topic of firefighter suicides is one that gets raised once or twice a year and is full of intense but quiet emotion. Quiet because the subject of suicide is one that people do not like to discuss; intense because when it is discussed some people make the mistake of passionately identifying these deaths as part of the sacrificial duty of a firefighter and consider them…

 I come from a rural area where are infrastructures is a generation or two behind what other places 2 counties over have. The part of our infrastructure that affects us the most is water supply. Where some have 42inch mains we at most have 8s and often times all the plugs in a given city are fed by one of those 8 inch mains. In short we have very few hydrants and what hydrants we do have often are very weak, if not broken.

I often hear (as many of you readers likely do as…

One of the biggest things I always here about why firefighters do train everyday is time! To be honest I get it! Most firefighters in the country are volunteer and are working a full-time job, raising families, and still trying to find time to serve their volunteer departments and communities.

The same can go for career firefighters who often have one or more part-time jobs, and families. I myself have my full-time fire department job, a part-time job, and 2 beautiful boys who…

Conversations swarming over fire and emergency services organizations these days have defined a need for mentoring the future leaders of this business and passing on the crucial information needed for the planning process.  However, there are debates everyday about building our next generation and how current Chief Officers are not conquering this particular task.

As I was rummaging through my old magazine subscriptions, I merely opened up an old Firehouse Magazine, June 1996 Ed., and…

It's all about doing our part. $1,200 dollars from this weekends class donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. RFB

On many entrapments, pedal-foot entanglements can be a common problem. This method is an easy alternative to cutting. Prior to removing the front door, loop the pedal to be displaced with webbing. Then wrap the excess webbing on the door frame (with the door almost shut). Hold the webbing wrap and open the door to displace the pedal towards you. This method can be also used on the passenger side door for displacement in that direction.…

Firefighters who commit arson should receive no mercy from the judge at sentencing nor should they receive mercy from their communities. In fact; I believe firefighter arsonists should receive enhanced sentencing for such an act.

And I will leave…

What would you like people to say about you when you’re not in the room? In particular, what would you like them to say about you as a leader? Pretend you’re a fly on the wall and you get to listen in on real conversations taking place about you.  These conversations are between firefighters at a station you haven’t visited in a while, or maybe from your peers that you work with every day, or possibly your friends and family at a summertime get-together. Take a moment to write down 3 things…

During our travels there seems to be a common complaint heard by many brothers and sisters around the country, that being their department offers little or no leadership training or development. Hopefully you weren't pinned and sent off to figure this all out on your own. Preparing the next generation of leaders is everyone's responsibility. You see it is not just the fire chief's responsibility but the entire membership regardless of rank or title. It takes many hands to build a village.…

Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Toys R Us, or various other chain and brand name stores. No matter the name they go under they all have one thing in common.

THEY ARE HUGE!

They also provide a very difficult fire problem for even the largest and best staffed fire departments in the fire service. In these instances we must abandon our traditional “residential” tactics and deploy more…

...and it's an epidemic!

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