Until recently I would have answered “yes of course we are Firefighters and Paramedic’s. We train to fight fires, answer all calls for emergency assistance including fire and EMS related calls and the thousands of other type of calls for service we respond to across the country daily!”

Today I sit and type because my assumption was very wrong! As my departments training officer is it my job to make sure that all training needs of my department are addressed. How do we as Training…

The recent MayDays that have occurred in Brooklyn New York City and Springfield Pennsylvania have highlighted many things. There will be the Monday morning quarterbacks and the official analysis from the respective departments. There should be no surprise to any of us that there has already been a lot said and discussed on the social media sites. There is one specific item that I am here to discuss and to peak your interest in. I am hopeful that you will consider my points, look at your…

I became involved in a discussion on a social media site that spurred some emotions I have from my work in the private sector. A training article was written and pictures were used to highlight the tactic of entering a commercial occupancy. The author was re-enforcing his point showing the way he does not recommend completing the task and used pictures from a recent incident. The author immediately received criticism from those in the picture who justified their tactic and the specifics of…

We all know the statistics. We all know or should know by now, what's killing our brother and sisters across America. 

What are you doing to increase your level of fitness? What are you doing to drop a few of those extra pounds? If you are a Company or Chief Officer you have a responsibility to yourself, your family, your…

We live and work in an information age. It's easy to create, capture, and control information. This includes video that can be generated on even the simplest cell phone. Such technology has been around for awhile now the Rodney King incident happened more than 20 years ago and it has made life more challenging for public safety workers.

Your actions will end up on You Tube or one of the many video or picture sharing sites. Before acting you must stop and think. If your actions end up…

We must begin mentoring the next leaders of our departments. We must begin teaching our current members everything we know because some day they will sit in our seats.

You must ask yourself who is the next Lt's, Capt's, BC, DC, Asst. Chiefs etc in your department? Who is next for your seat? When you have that answer take them under your wing and mentor…

While attending FDIC I had the prividlidge to meet a inspirational firefighter who has authored a brand new book "The Combat Position".

Please check the below article and consider picking up his book you won't be disappointed!

Surviving on the Fireground: Chris Brennan Talks Situational Awareness at FDIC 2011…