Paul Combs's Blog (375)

"Never Forget" also means never forgetting all those we've lost since 9/11/01. It's 343 and counting...

I could say many things about these cartoons and my personal experiences, but I am going to give this space up for a friend who is following the noble calling of helping firefighters save ourselves, so we may continue…

Here's a little end of Summer silliness. Enjoy our last few days of warmth, brothers and sisters - snow is just around the corner.

Take care, stay safe, and always make a difference!

Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:…

Many of us have accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge, and have challenged others to donate and help bring awareness to ALS. Unfortunately, firefighters being the competitive creatures that we are, have been taking this a little too far and injuring themselves and others (much like the Cold Water Challenge from earlier this year). This challenge is a great way to bring…

It's obvious where I stand on interior attack regarding known hoarder homes. What are your thoughts?

Feeling a little silly today, but my guess is there a more than a few of you out there who can relate!

Take care, stay safe, and always make a difference!

Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:…

Here's my Fire Engineering June issue cartoon, and to prove that blind luck does exist, here's a just published article from CBS about firefighter obesity.  …

Turk is big. Turk is tough. Turk is nasty, and Turk is rough. But little did Turk know, that on one faithful call, in a tree big and tall, that he would become smitten with a kitten named Toots. Now, embarrassed and shocked, and with the fear of being mocked, Turk…

The Star Of Life symbol represents many things; Detection, Reporting, Response, On-Scene Care, Care In Transit, Transfer to Definitive Care, and at the center of it all is the ancient Greek symbol, the Staff of Asclepius. However, my interpretation has another element - Accountability For Your Actions. For those of us lucky enough to provide not only fire and rescue…

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 show off a selfie with you posing gallantly by the warning sign? My guess (and hope) is that you are…

If you don't know what it is, or how to use it, maybe it's time to train on it! We all have tools and appliances that are on our rigs, but are very seldom used - that's no excuse not to know how to use them. Train, train, and then train a little more.

Change is inevitable, but there are those who cling to the past like a monkey with fuzzy hands grabbing a Velcro banana (get it? fuzzy, Velcro… ok, that was bad, but you get the visual). However, change brings progress, and progress is good. We need progress. Progress in gear, progress in apparatus, progress in technology, and progress in… wait for it… tactical…

The term two-hatter has traditionally been used in the fire service to recognize firefighters who work for a career fire department, as well as volunteer for another. However, on this Memorial Day, I would like to recognize another two-hatter - the men and women who serve as firefighters in their communities, and serve our country as warriors here at home and abroad.…

When things go wrong, too many fingers are typically pointing in every direction except the one place they should be - at you!  If you're the problem, stop blaming others, step up, man up, fess up, and be accountable for your actions.



Besides, you're a little old to be claiming the dog ate your homework!

Click link below to see more of Paul's…

...and it's an epidemic!

Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:…

There are those of us who have a very supportive Council Council and Mayor, unfortunately there are also some who know the sting of this cartoon all too well.

Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:
http://www.artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm

.

With the excitement of heading to Indianapolis and participating in the best fire training event on the planet, I thought I'd post a little pre-FDIC (potty) humor.



NEVER stop training!

See you in Indy!

Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:…

Brothers and Sisters – I am giving up my words with this post to those who know how to write them – and write them well. Sarah Gura, Chief Kenny, and Lt. Olson have agreed to co-conspire with this post regarding our mentality of invincibility. Please read…

THE AMAZING FIREMAN

Dear Firefighters,

This is a longer…

It would appear that I got a few of you in trouble last year with this cartoon;)



FDIC is the greatest fire training event on the planet, and I look forward to this week every year! Great friends, great classes, and great brotherhood!



Oh, and pipers... lots of…