Paul Combs's Blog (375)

Psalm, 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Crew unity provides members with a sense of cohesion and confidence during calls, and a natural support network when returning to, or at, the fire station. A close crew is one whose members share a strong bond, loyalty, and commitment to…

How BIG is your ego, and are you getting in the way of the very people you should be building up?



STAY FIRED UP, and remember, it is always about them!

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Recently, I read this quote by an anonymous author - “A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands for everybody else.” I can think of nowhere else this is truer than in today’s fire service.



My daughter, now 24, has never known a mother and father that wasn’t inspiring her to be anything she wanted – anything, regardless of the physical,…

It's that time of year again! Time to train, learn, laugh, hug, and bask in the brotherhood that is FDIC International! This is my Christmas, New Year's Day, and Easter all rolled into one... and I personally can't wait. 

Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. Looking forward to working my butt off for our RIT Combat Challenge students.…

What is leadership? What does it look like? What does it walk like... sound like? For most of us, we know a good leader when we meet them. They have a certain magnetism and charisma that just makes people gravitate toward them, and if they're true and deserving, we follow - not blindly, but willingly. My friend EJ Mascaro was one of those leaders - true, trustworthy,…

Have fun out there, brothers and sisters - but leave those keys with a sober designated driver!

STAY FIRED UP, and get home alive!

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STAY FIRED UP, brothers and sisters, and be unique. Be original. Be you... but keep an ample supply of kitty litter:)

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From the time we are children, we are told to be afraid of monsters. Monsters under the bed. Monsters in the closet. The monster in that dark and treacherous basement that our parents never wanted us to explore alone. As we grew older, our teenage monsters changed to be the bully in second-period literature or our ever-present self-doubting reflection in the mirror.…

A shtick and stickers are a must!



STAY FIRED UP, and keep it real, brothers and sisters!

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The Super Bowl - the pinnacle of professional football greatness, myth and lore, where there have been some amazing athletes who can claim to be the glorious victors, or the devastated runner-up. However, one thing is for certain, whether you are the winner or loser of the BIG game – they all got there by being 100% dedicated to their craft and lead by passionate…

NEW Fire Engineering January editorial illustration.

You as an instructor are there for your students, they are not there to pad your ego! I have seen way too many instructors and officers who love to show you how much you don't know, instead of how much they can…

From Chief Bobby Halton,

Firefighters, Support H.R. 973/S. 1651 or H.R. 711 Now!

Fairness—you hear that word a lot today. “I will make sure they pay their fair share” is something we hear constantly from politicians about taxes. The first income tax code was established by President Abraham Lincoln to fund the war effort and was…

December Fire Engineering magazine illustration.



Here's a link to my previous post and memories of Chief Brunacini. Rest easy, Chief... and thank you!…

There is a common understanding among the firefighter and EMT community that there are lives that can’t be saved or rescued. It’s a fact of life, and death. Usually those lives are lost due to circumstances beyond our perceived control, and most of us have come to grips with this certainty so we can focus on the next savable life. Understanding doesn’t make it…

Today I publish an illustration that was harder to draw than I thought it would be - and I knew it would be hard! The subject of alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and drunk driving is at times a taboo subject in the firehouse and our national conferences. We eagerly discuss tactics, obesity, cancer, suicide, depression, seat belts, speed, health and fitness… the…

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!



STAY FIRED UP, and stay safe out there!

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To see more Drawn By Fire, go to:…

My very first encounter with Chief Alan Brunacini was not what I would have hoped for. I was attending my first FDIC and was sitting through a presentation on how to submit articles to become a Fire Engineering author. Being the introvert that I am, I naturally sat in the back row while taking notes. Chief Lasky had already set the fire under my tuchas two days earlier to…