Warren Cersley's Blog (66)

WET YOUR SPONGE

I looked at my original fire coat today. Copper rivets repaired broken clips and canvas patches covered cuts in the coat. Although it shows some wear and tear it certainly brings back some fond memories. I remember the pocket wedges, sprinkler stops, pliers, screw drivers and a pocket knife and in which pocket they were kept and why. I physically touched each tool every morning.

Back in the day Rookies like me were given a small sponge by the veterans and told…

Pick up the flag

Iconic pictures from the World Trade Center, Iwo Jima, Gettysburg and Pearl Harbor all share a common thread. During the chaotic aftermath of these unspeakable horrors someone quieted fear, started healing pain and suffering, restored hope and returned focus of mission. They stepped up and inspired others to engage as a team. They picked up the flag.

The position of flag bearer is one of great honor, then and now. During the Civil War, the regimental…

CHARACTER IS FIRST IN



“Character arrives before reputation and anything else.”  Me.



For many years, I worked part time for an oil company. I pumped gas, delivered fuel oil (pulled the hose) to homes and businesses and drove a tractor trailer. Sometimes I delivered gasoline to service stations or I hauled fuel oil from the corporate terminals in Richmond to our facility.



I didn’t realize that I was recalling character lessons, life…

Each year at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg and at the IAFF Memorial in Colorado Springs, we gather to memorialize and pay tribute to our fallen. The ceremonies are dignified, respectful, appropriate and most moving. I would hope that every member of the Fire Service could make the opportunity to attend one or both of these ceremonies, at least once.

It is so important to keep the Line of Duty Death numbers in perspective and in sharp focus. Each fire service lost is…

I am thankful for the opportunity to blog on Fire Engineering. This is my first blog post.

My name is Warren Cersley (Kers-lee) and I have been a Fireman for just over thirty-nine years. I came through the ranks in Richmond, Virginia where I currently serve as a Battalion Chief, a position I have held since 1986. When I write that it sure sounds like a long time, but I have enjoyed the people business, the fire service, so much that it seems like only yesterday.

My goal is to…