Paul Combs's Blog (375)

So, what does the constant thump of complaining do to team unity?

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Gender equality has been a long and winding yellow brick road for many women in the fire service. They work hard, train hard, and study hard, but no matter how many times they click their heels and wish for a fighting chance, progress has been painfully slow.



Is progress being made? If the ladies I meet at FDIC and other events are any indication, I’d say…

I am not sure if this cartoon is whimsical or prophetic, but it's a fact that we are all doing more with much, much less these days. Better limber up your toes, folks - they're going to be needed!

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I hate bullies! Always have, always will. Unfortunately, this is a leadership trait of far too many company and chief officers. As I see it, there are fundamentally three types of supervisors:

Leaders: Their ability to motivate and empower firefighters to excel is their key to success. People enjoy working for leaders and they have the highest…

When the zero visibility crap hits the hot and smokey fan, it's your training that makes all the difference between life and death, success and failure. Technology is great, but there is NO substitute for knowing the basics in any fire service discipline, strategy, or skill. Train, train, train, and then train some more!!!…

I'm not here yet, but will be someday:) Once a firefighter, always a firefighter!!!



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Hang in there, my Brothers and Sisters in the north - Spring is just around the corner!!!

www.artstudioseven.com

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The firehouse and training grounds are very fun places to be. Lighthearted jokes and razzing are the norm - and quite honestly a very healthy behavior. Good-natured poking and prodding creates friendships, camaraderie, trust, and some of the best nicknames in the fire service. However, when good-natured fun turns to hazing, you need to step in and stop the…

It is a fresh new year - full of hopes, dreams, and challenges. Many of us will use the new year as a launching pad for personal improvement and an opportunity to accomplish important goals. Maybe yours is to advance within your department, to finally run that extra mile, or simply lose a few pounds - whatever it is, it's a great time reevaluate and implement…

Hard to believe it's been four years since I lost my friend and mentor. It took a few years after his death to put my feelings into an editorial cartoon and I desperately hope this message will help others out there!



Listen and be involved in their lives - be there for them!



R.I.P., my…

There have been numerous complaints from a small group about my latest seat belt cartoon. Enough so that Brother John Willgohs felt compelled to share his story of an apparatus accident that happened in 1998. If you can read this, and look at the attached photo without realizing the necessity for you and your crew to buckling-up, well, maybe it's time for you to…

There have been numerous complaints from a small group about my latest seat belt cartoon. Enough so that Brother John Willgohs felt compelled to share his story of an apparatus accident that happened in 1998. If you can read this, and look at the attached photo without realizing the necessity for you and your crew to buckling-up, well, maybe it's time for you to…

Here's hoping that everyone has a very safe, job secure, and happy New Year!!!

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Have a safe and wonderful Christmas, everybody!!

Oh, and keep an extinguisher by the fireplace, just in case Santa needs a little assistance!

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I was really hoping that I would never have to draw another seat-belt cartoon. Ugh! I was wrong! C'mon guys, we're smarter than this!

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No real opinion here - just going for a snicker or a snort!! :)

Happy Thanksgiving, Brothers and Sisters!!!

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Autumn in the Great Lakes. Cool crisp air, leaves brilliant in their Fall splendor, slight frost on the morning horizon - and the sound of distant gun fire blowing the be-jesus out of a poor, gentle deer!



Ok, ok, so I'm not a hunter - all the more reason to have some fun at their expense:) We have plenty in my department who are, and this time of…

Blog Talk Radio: Episode 141

Had a great time talking with Chiefs Lasky, Coleman, Halton and Crawford last night during the radio show! Link to the archived stream is above.



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