Paul Combs's Blog (375)

So, what's your motivation?



STAY FIRED UP!



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Firefighters are a spirited bunch, but social media has proven that we can be divisive, polarizing, and bombastic, too. It's human to have differing opinions, and that's what makes us a great culture and spurs change, but nothing gets accomplished by short-sighted opinions, contentious comments, and name-calling - we are better than this, my brothers and…

...as if wildfire season wasn't tough enough?!

STAY FIRED UP!

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In July of 64 A.D., a fire ravaged Rome for six days, destroying 70 percent of the city and leaving half its population homeless. According to a well-known fable, Rome’s emperor, the unpopular and sadistic Nero, “fiddled while Rome burned.” As with all historical events, much can be learned from their triumphs and tragedies, and here we can apply the burning of one of…

It's that time of year again. Time to greet old friends, meet new ones, learn from the best instructors on the planet, and see what new innovations the fire industry has to offer. Yep, it's FDIC time! I look forward to this week all year and can't wait to get the show rolling.



Safe travels, brothers and sisters - see'ya in Indy!!!!…

Hitting the books is as important as wearing the suits. Something that's easy to forget at times for us HazMat techs, and something I was embarrassingly reminded of during a recent department training. Who says I don't slap my own hand with these cartoons?!

Study. Train. Know.

STAY FIRED UP!





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We can't all fight the volume of fires that some of the larger cities do, and if you don't, please don't act like you do! Some of the best instructors I've ever had the pleasure of meeting are volunteer/part-paid or work full-time in smaller departments - and they teach excellent classes despite not having a structure fire every shift. The one thing they all have in common…

You walk into a department store and pick up that brightly colored shirt you've been looking for all over town. However, on the rack you notice a sign that reads Caution: Clothing Contains Known Carcinogens. Would you still buy the shirt? Would you wear it proudly and post a selfie posing rebelliously by the warning sign? My guess (and hope) is that…

Yesterday was International Women's Day, and I want to give a special shout-out to all our sisters out there doing the same job as us guys - yes, I said same! To show my support, I posted a painting that puts focus on tough women on Facebook, and the response has rustled up some spirited conversation - and emotions. Unfortunately there have been some…

As I post this the snow is coming down outside my studio window in big feather-like flakes and the cold is radiating through my double-pane windows. So much so that the triple-shot espresso that I am currently enjoying is doing little to warm my bones as I wait for the familiar sounds of spring training baseball broadcast to remind me that warmer days are around the…

I have got a few more years of stretching hose and throwing ladders in front of me, but I'm sure this cartoon will be me when that time comes. Can't imagine what it's like to know you won't be riding those big red rigs any longer - not sure I want to think about it. But for those of you who have served your years and shed sweat, blood, and tears, I…

How tight do you hold before you lose control? Any horse rider or race car driver will tell you it's a delicate balance between holding on tight enough to maintain control, but not so tight as to lose flexibility.

Lyrics by 38-Special may say it best "Just hold on loosely, but don't let go. If you cling too tightly, you're gonna lose control."

STAY…

It is fourth and goal with the game clock tick, tick, ticking away. The success or failure of your next play will bring your team victorious glory or public disgrace (and these days, social media shaming). You take your positions, the ball is snapped, you run your route awaiting a precise throw from the quarterback, the ball is released and it's coming your way, you…

Where will you be a year from now? Is there something in your life that needs to be improved? How many of us reflect back on 2015 and wish we would have started a change in January? I know I do! So, will we be asking ourselves this same question in 2016, or will we actually put thought and desire into motion. Eat healthier, lift more, work longer without getting tired,…

Here's hoping that each of your Christmas wishes come true, and that we all have a safe and glorious 2016. Merry Christmas, Brothers and Sisters!

It is our obligation to share our experience and what we know. It was certainly done for us when we first walked through those firehouse doors, so we owe nothing less to the new faces starting their fire service journey. Be the mentor, the voice of experience, and the guiding hand to usher in a new generation of firefighters and EMTs – they are…

Hard cartoon to look at - even harder to live with! There is NO shame in asking for help. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (24/7), visit their website at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Want to help? Then save, print, and post the small 8.5x11" poster below and include your own…

Most of you know that I assist with the RIT Combat Drills H.O.T. class at FDIC, and that I am passionate about RIT training and tactics. Why? Because who else will be coming to save us when things go wrong? Take it serious, brothers and sisters, because we are the ONLY ones who can save us!



For more information about RIT training topics, here's a link to…

Sending out a heartfelt thank you to all my brothers and sisters who not only answer the fire bell, but have also answered the call to serve our country. I am forever grateful for your service, and cherish the freedom that my family and I enjoy because of your dedication, duty to…