Douglas Mitchell, Jr.'s Blog (77)

The Sunday Preach:

‘Mind your Step’

"We must recognize the importance that staircases have in all of our operations, from pre-fire control to overhaul. We must understand their structural building components, know the materials used, their limitations, and how to prevent and overcome problems impeding our goal of going up or down the stairs. Anytime we are going up or down steps, we must be extra alert. We must also recognize and plan to utilize a secondary means of egress…

The Sunday Preach:

"The 2 C's"

If you have followed us for any length of time you know our stance on COMPLACENCY in the fire service. Complacency, when left to fester in one person, one company or one department, (while difficult to document with statistics) that complacent attitude, can be a killer. We must prepare for the fire of our career each and every time out the door.

The other C is CANCER. Anyone who is or knows someone who is fighting cancer, knows it is indeed…

The Sunday Preach

Are you comfortable?

"...without a working SCBA, you are nothing more than a civilian in a fireman costume." 

The Sunday Preach:

Clean Up

Cancer has seen a dramatic spike in the fire service. It is increasing effecting our fire service brethren; regardless of race, creed or gender. Having friends and family who struggle and have succumbed to cancers deadly grasp, it is devastating, debilitating and taken many good men and women far too soon. 

On the heels of the somber occasion today at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, where 87 firefighters and fire officers names were added to the monument in Emmitsburg Maryland, we pause and reflect, in their honor and sacrifice. 



While we must never forget their sacrifices, we must also make a commitment to better ourselves in so much that their sacrifice is not in vain. Whether that may be a personal commitment to fitness, a…

The Sunday Preach:



"ONE MISSION AND ONE MISSION ONLY" "A key foundation to doing our job since the inception of the fire service is the establishment and delivery of water." (Chapter 16 'Where is My Water' - pg. 167)



Water on Fire = No more Fire



...and this my friends, is good for everyone



So, while Engine may have over the generations changed color, shape and size and have more bells and whistles…

A Keen Eye

"Remember that we are all in this together. We must consistently watch out for each other. Only a firefighter truly knows what it is like to be a firefighter... When things go wrong, only more firefighters like us are coming in after us." (pg. xi)

Fourteen years.

This week will mark the 14^th anniversary of September 11^th 2001, an anniversary that some say has been forgotten by society at large. While certainly there are exceptions, perhaps it is largely because many do not have a personal ‘tie-in’ to the events that shook places like Shanksville, Arlington, and New York City.

Yet, it remains unforgettable by some, especially to those in our line of work… it is a date that lives…

The Sunday Preach:

Expectations & Communication

"We can earn loyalty by training well, treating people fairly, and by setting a positive example... Someone is always watching your actions and interactions. Set the tone for the way you expect your crew to perform, and they will follow you." (pg 12).

The Sunday Preach:



See the future... (crystal ball not required)



If you are looking to see potential forcible entry challenges in the residential setting, often you need to look no further than your local hardware store.



"Residential building forcible entry is no longer the 'mule kick' on a hollow core wooden door. Formidable forcible entry concerns are becoming prevalent in the single family…

The Sunday Preach

"Click it"

Look in the mirror, in the end... you are responsible for the choices you make. 

How many of you have had a line painted down the middle of the floor between the engine and truck?  I bet a few of you did....

The Sunday Preach

Is The Grass Always Greener?

After spending the last two days out of state on manicured green grass soccer fields, another parents and I began to start to compare and contrast the places we have traveled too. Some nearby, some afar... in the end, there was no place like home.

The Sunday Preach:

Be Great...

"Did you ever go to a fire where everything went exactly as planned or where you came out and thought you did everything right and wouldn’t change a thing you said or did? The only consistent thing when it comes to firefighting is that it is different each time. No fire is routine and no two fires are ever exactly alike. While you may practice due diligence in an area where fires are prevalent, fire behavior from building to building, from day…

The Sunday Preach

Practice

For those of you who may have children who play sports, you may relate to this next brief piece. While the topic pertains to many, in this instance, this is about me and one of my kids... and their favorite sport.

Passion drives the desire for perfection, therefore practice is the fuel that drives the desire....

It started early, I could see the passion for the game in his eyes. The intensity in the commitment to better himself and be…