Featured Blog Posts – December 2010 Archive (9)

 

Yes, these are all real life head-lines inspired from this past year! As if public relations wasn't hard enough, we invite this mayhem into our lives and firehouses with our own actions. Trust me, after years in the news industry I can tell you that a head-line speaks volumes towards public perception (after all, who reads or listens to the story, right?).…

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Apparently, it has become our mission as grandparents to provide our grandson with the Christmas season’s hottest toy.

Many of you will remember the great Zhu-Zhu shortage of…

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Direct from IAFF Chicago Local 2  Funeral Information

On behalf of the Brothers and Sisters of Local 2, we would like to thank everyone from around the country on their overwhelming support and condolences during this tragic time.

Arrangement for FF Edward J. Stringer are as…

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Did you feel that this morning?

Don’t by coy.

The tones dropped and you didn’t make the call. Before the first truck could announce “in service”, you were already fabricating your excuse.

But, we know what’s going on, don’t we?

That adrenaline rush that once propelled us to “firefighter of the year” is only a gooey mess of poor descriptions of what is now poor performance.

There was a time not so long ago that you felt like your little village needed…

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There are times when regardless of the possible consequences you have to take a stand if you don’t you can’t look yourself in the mirror. I hope those who find this offensive will remember it is an opinion they are entitled to theirs. There are problems with the 911 memorial all due to an overly politically correct mindset which is dominating our political landscape. Well I know they (the directors of the memorial and museum) have nothing but the best intentions but in my opinion they are…

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Leaders: Why should we expect to retain the quality people we have if we don't give them a reason to stay? Your people are your most valued asset - train them, motivate them, and give them the gift of fulfillment that only the fire service can give! If not, then don't be surprised when…

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Your Opportunity to Recognize a Hero

There can be no better way to memorialize the memory of a great man than to recognize others who remind us of that man's character, integrity and dignity. With that thought in mind I am asking everyone in the fire engineering…

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Note: Chief Mark Wessel of Keokuk, IA Fire Department is to the left. I am to the right.

December, 1999 delivered a major blow to our brotherhood of firefighters.…

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As I was reading Dickens' A Christmas Carol last week, it came to me that the lessons learned in this classic tale apply to many facets of life - especially in the fire service. And just as the three ghost that haunted Ebeneezer Scrooge that Christmas Eve opened his eyes to what was, is, and will be, so could they warn… Continue