All Blog Posts (3,173)

Ah, yes, the MacGyver syndrome. Keep it light. Keep it relevant. Keep it practical. Keep It Simple... and just get the job done quickly and efficiently!

Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:…

Instructor Driven Fires

So the status tell us that the number of fires are down 53% since the 1970’s. I don’t have any numbers on the decrease in “acquired structure” fire control classes but I can speculate that it is probably down even lower than 53%. As a…

For someone like me, it’s hard to fathom that anyone in the fire service could produce an argument against improving the health and fitness of firefighters. The statistics alone tell anyone that will listen it is the most significant barrier to reducing LODDs. Nevertheless, I understand that the issue, sadly, is more complicated than that. As I've said before – it’s…

TODAY’S COMPANY OFFICER

In today’s short-staffed and under funded fire service the demands and responsibilities of our members are many. As responsibilities go the Company Officer is the backbone of most incident operations.

The end result of any operation relies heavily on the performance of the crews operating on that incident.  Assuring proficient execution of the plays from the company playbook, or policies and procedures, is one of the Company Officers most…

 In almost every class that Traditions Training presents, we play the audio from Lancaster City, PA. of the MAYDAY by Lt. Andre Kelley of Engine 3. We use this as a training tool and to make firefighters aware of this near tragedy as it played out that fateful night. We expect all of our students to learn from the incident, study the incident and to better themselves and…

This topic is near and dear to mine and your hearts and careers–Workouts for Firefighters and Fire Rescue Athletes. Over the last couple of months I’ve been researching, talking, tweaking and writing about some of the more popular workouts seen in firehouses across the world. 

"Building Your 2,000 Year Mind"

"The United States Marine Corps have a belief in a

“5,000-year mind.” This belief is that in a trade with

over 5,000 years of documented warfare, there is no

reason why a solider should not study every day. Study

to learn about their enemy, their battleground, and…

CESSPOOL OF LEADERSHIP

I do not bring a degree in tight end, modern dance, micro management or other non fire related subjects to the leadership table.

I do most certainly encourage young people entering the Fire Service to seek out every opportunity for higher education that is job related. I also admire those, a bit senior, who sought out their fire service related college…

       When you get promoted from Firefighter to Driver/Engineer there can be a host of emotions that come over you. When you first hear the news there is a great deal of excitement. There is a rush of happiness because the results of your hard work, training, education, and hours on end of studying friction loss equations, sprinkler systems, map books, fire department…

I keep seeing articles about the downfall of volunteers, and the one recurring theme is that it's too much training and how it costs too much to train guys. Usually, they fall back on the normal excuses: “we are volunteers, so why do we need the training that metro cities need,” or “we make 100 calls a year, I don't need this training.”

If this was football I'd throw the red flag to challenge them on this.

These statements really get under my craw. You can't say in one breath…

It's only a little more than a month away and I'm starting to get excited! I'm presenting for the first time and I'm hoping to see each of you there. Mark you calenders for Thursday, April 23rd, 3:30 p.m. - Rooms 109-110, for Drawn By Fire: A Decade Of Fired Up' Toons.

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Drawn by Fire: A Decade of Fired Up 'Toons…

I recently had the privilege of interviewing for a Fire Department I greatly admire and deeply respect.  One of the main reasons that I feel so strongly about this organization, is my perception of the outstanding culture they've developed.  Perception being reality, as I have been told, got me thinking about culture, and it's importance in the Fire Service.

Culture is a subject that is…

There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. Imagine a fire service world where attorneys or judges are running your fire department.  It is an area which we call the…

Knowledge of building construction is critical for a firefighter.  2 good resources for this information is 'The Art of Reading Buildings' by Dave Dodson and John Mittendorf and 'Building Construction' for the Fire Service by Francis Brannigan.  But how do you recall 600 plus pages of information when you arrive on the scene of a fire?  What from those 600 pages is important right now in determining my actions?   Firefighters need to have a good understanding of building construction as a…

This throwback photo was taken in the seventies at the retirement party for Raymond “Raybo” Adams. Raymond was an “old timer” when I joined his company. He also was the star pitcher on the department baseball team and he could still “bring the stuff” as he aged.

The picture always reminds me of the old and the new and the generational differences that we hear so much about in the Fire Service. It also causes me to stop…

“Engine 1 is on scene confirming 123 South Front Street with a 1 story occupied row of stores. There is smoke showing from the Alpha/Bravo corner. We’ve laid out from the hydrant at Front and Wayne…we’re going offensive with a 2” in the end unit…Engine 2 pick up our hydrant and Truck 1 come North on Front…

       The scene size-up is the most important thing the first due officer can do. In my class I have a large section based solely on the scene size-up and the things that go into establishing one correctly. It needs to be accurate. It needs to be complete. It sets the tone for the rest of the incident and should be based off of Life Safety, Incident Stabilization, and Property Conservation. If we do not get this done then the strategic and tactical goals of the incident may not be what they…

"One Armed Bandit..."

"The invention of the remote microphone with incorporated speakers dramatically helped firefighters hear fireground audio...If your radio requires you to hold it in your hands and then put up to your ear to listen and to your mouth to transmit, is that really an effective use of your hands? Older style handheld radios might work for the chief in the street...but it is absolutely going to slow down every operation that you…