Thomas D. Kuglin Jr.'s Blog (8)

The Armadillo Effect: Art of Foreseeability

by: Thomas D. Kuglin Jr.

            Have you ever wondered how Armadillos are always seen dead on the side or the middle of the road? Have you wondered how a squirrel jukes back and forth in the roadway when a vehicle approaches sometimes making it across and sometimes not? Have you wondered how an Eagle is able to soar high above and a precisely locate their prey?…

Truck Company Operations- Keyboard Drill

By: Thomas D. Kuglin Jr.

            As much time that is involved in creating a musical masterpiece it is critical to have the knowledge and skill set to operate your equipment effectively.  Learning a new instrument takes time and practice.  Mistakes will be made and the end result is an unfinished, raw product.  However, over time and with more practice, you’ll be well on…

Drones have added tremendous value in the fire service since the beginning of the second decade of this century.  In its multitude of uses ranging from a 360-degree size-up tool to delivering high-profile images in real time to commanders as they decide how to respond, conducting flyovers of areas involved in natural disasters, and locating seats of the fire in firefighting operations, to name a few.  Drones used for fire service training can also be a substantial value added tool.  Drones…

Mastering the Size-up

by: Thomas D. Kuglin Jr.

Becoming proficient with sizing up the fireground takes practice.  Not only in terms of the main components of a well-described size-up, but also in the way it’s conveyed over the radio.  The way in which the information is conveyed is just as important as what the content of the message is.  If either of these are not in sync, the initial operations on the fireground…

In my brief but current tenure in the petroleum refining industry I’ve noticed a lot of differences yet a lot of similarities in regards to the dynamics of training.  Unlike the structural firefighting realm, industrial firefighting can, arguably, contain a cache of significant hazards that are not otherwise encountered and contain an inherently more dangerous fireground.  The hazards are a myriad of chemicals, off-gasses, high pressures, high temperatures, liquid and pressure-fed fires and…

The Driving Force Behind Catalyst Leadership

By: Thomas D. Kuglin Jr., Battalion Fire Chief

            Being new to the private, industrial sector world it can be overwhelming and challenging.  In the nearly six months here so far I am learning every day about the refinery’s processes, what makes them work and all the intricacies associated with them.  While I am just merely a beginner to the refining…

Those Who Lead: When Opportunity Knocks

By: Thomas D. Kuglin Jr.

I received a group email from my Fire Chiefs supervisor, concerning what makes a great safety professional after attending a recent conference. He further spoke of the characteristics listed by participants during the conference and how that list could be expanded to any profession.  He asked that members of our department do “homework” and list the top 10…

There are infinite skills and tasks that must be performed as a first-in engine company to the scene of a fire incident.  Skills and tasks can range from hoseline selection and deployment to size-up to hand tool selection and everything in between.  We could spend countless hours and time engaging in practical training evolutions on each one alone.  How can we develop a training evolution that encompasses multiple essential tasks?  I’m sure you’re thinking we do this all time so what makes…