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White Collar Customer Service in a Blue Collar Job

Photo Credit: Alan Baker

Customer service has been a buzz word in the fire service for decades now.  As the fire service…

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Added by Clay Magee on November 9, 2023 at 9:30pm — No Comments

The Impact of Neglecting the Rank and File: Lessons in Firefighting Leadership

 

In the realm of firefighting, leadership is not just about making decisions; it's about ensuring the safety of communities and the lives of firefighters on the front lines. Leadership that forgets about the rank and file can have far-reaching consequences, and it's a critical issue to address. In this blog post, we'll explore what happens when leadership neglects the rank and file in the firefighting profession and the invaluable lessons we can draw from these…

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Added by Terrence on October 16, 2023 at 3:25pm — No Comments

False Alarms; No Such Thing

Communication is key in much of our daily life. As much as we try, we sometimes have that “failure to communicate”. That said, to avoid some confusion, there is a need to let go of the term and the concept of “false alarms”.  Smoke alarm or smoke detector activations related to “culinary mishaps”, burnt popcorn, or burnt whatever in the microwave or a pot of food on the stovetop, are not false alarms. Those devices did their job. Even in the case of when steam sets those devices off, those…

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Added by Andy Marsh on August 18, 2023 at 1:58pm — No Comments

Rehabilitation for Emergency Operations

Rehabilitation for Emergency Operations

 

Establishing and implementing a strong rehabilitation process for firefighters during emergency operations is extremely important and creates numerous benefits. Due to overexertion on the fireground, combined with the existing temperature and humidity of the 2023 summer season, firefighters face a variety of risks including dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

 

In an…

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Added by AB Turenne on July 3, 2023 at 3:12pm — No Comments

The results of Poor Leadership

Firefighters are called to risk their lives in order to protect others. They are respected professionals who are known for their bravery, selflessness, and dedication. However, there are times when firefighters are let down by poor leadership within the Fire Service. Unfortunately, poor leadership can negatively impact the effectiveness of the Fire Service, leading to a decrease in the quality of service provided to the community. In this blog post, we will discuss the cost of poor…

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Added by Terrence on June 15, 2023 at 8:00am — No Comments

The Crucial Role of Leadership in the Fire Service: Inspiring Excellence, Ensuring Safety

In the dynamic and demanding field of firefighting, leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the success, effectiveness, and safety of fire departments. Fire service leaders are not only responsible for managing operations and resources but also for inspiring and guiding their teams towards excellence. This blog aims to highlight the importance of leadership in the fire service and how effective leadership practices can enhance organizational performance and ensure the safety of both…

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Added by Terrence on May 31, 2023 at 10:00am — No Comments

FDIC in the Raer-view

    I was blessed with the opportunity to finally attend FDIC. I has been on my to do list for some time. My opportunity to attend was made possible by the leadership and vision demonstrated by my Fire Chief. Indy became FDIC with building high banners and 38,000 Firefighters filling downtown streets, restaurants, and of course spots to "network".

    The heart of the international fire service was FDIC. The streets and buildings were filled with…

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Added by Jason Barker on May 11, 2023 at 1:08am — No Comments

The Lost Art of Firemanship

 

The views expressed are those of the author, and do not represent my employer, or other members of the fire service although maybe they should…

Let face facts, this job is not rocket science. Those of average intelligence, with common sense and basic mechanical aptitude can excel in the fire service. Then why have we lost the basic knowledge, skills and abilities to perform our jobs? It can all fall back upon the lost art of…

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Added by Jason Barker on May 11, 2023 at 1:00am — No Comments

What’s the Hang-up:The ‘Ins and Outs” of storing your tools

  

It was only a drill, but I found myself hung-up, trapped by one of the tools that were supposed to keep me safe. We were performing a low profile exercise as part of a SCBA confidence course when either the glove strap and/or the radio antenna caught on something. I could not go forward or backward, my mask was pulled off and if it were REAL... I was dead; I had trapped myself!…

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Added by Jason Barker on May 5, 2023 at 1:08am — No Comments

Eyes Wide Shut

As the shift commander becoming self-aware of the culture that you have allowed to geminate is the hardest pill to swallow in the fire service. I was taught to be constantly aware of my surroundings at all times. As the command officer of the shift have you started to see a lack of comradery, a constant exodus to the other shifts or crew leaving the department, or only seeing your crew when the tones drop?   When was…

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Added by Michael Ruby on April 6, 2023 at 6:30am — No Comments

Fire Department Considerations for Heavily Snow Loaded Roofs

With the recent snowstorm that has blanketed much of the country, the fire service needs to take a look up before we commit to an interior or exterior fire operation. The type of structural materials, design and condition all play a big part on whether that snow loaded roof is going to be a problem. I recently took a few minutes to travel around the area to assess any potential snow hazards I could find. I was surprised to see that more than three quarters of the dwellings in the area had…

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Added by Fire Chief Billy Greenwood on January 23, 2023 at 7:30pm — No Comments

Pockets of Pliers: A Preferred Practice

Pockets of Pliers: A Preferred Practice

When I first got on the job, I had the privilege of working for a Lieutenant who was the epitome of a fireman’s fireman. After catching a fire during a 24-hour tour, we were swapping out our turnout gear in an effort to curb our exposure to cancer causing…

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Added by AB Turenne on January 11, 2023 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Curb Appeal, Iron and Steel: Basics for Heeling the Butt of a Ladder

Ground Ladders are part of the basic fundamentals that make up the initial Firefighter Training

Curriculum as identified in NFPA 1001 (Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications)

and have an abundance of uses and purposes in the fire service.…

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Added by AB Turenne on December 18, 2022 at 8:00pm — No Comments

Challenges the Fire Service and their Leaders face

The tones drop and the pagers activate, firefighters drop what they were doing and rush to get the trucks out. Unfortunately, that changes a little more year by year, fire departments across the US face multiple challenges, some are from within the structure of the fire department to include its municipal leaders or board of directors.

 

One of the most significant challenges faced in the fire service is recruitment and retention, it is a proven fact that the interest in…

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Added by Jeremy Perrien on November 21, 2022 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Community Fire Prevention; Take Care of the Little Things

If you have read my fire prevention missives in the past, you have learned that, in my opinion, preaching the good word supporting public fire and life safety education is part of our mission of saving lives and protecting property. Consider how much property can be saved with the effective use of a sprinkler system, or a fire extinguisher. In the restaurant and commercial occupancy world, an Ansul system, or a FM 200 system and the like, can also prevent some damage loss and protect…

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Added by Andy Marsh on June 21, 2022 at 8:10pm — No Comments

Floor Vents and Egress Orientation

“Some say knowledge is power,…the wisest among us know that the real power lies in shared knowledge”

- Mark VonAppen / Fully Involved…

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Added by AB Turenne on June 11, 2022 at 1:06pm — No Comments

Navigating the “Awkward Years”

Navigating the "Awkward Years"

Let me start by laying out a disclaimer. There is absolutely no substitute for experience. Period. None. Taking calls, going to jobs, and getting dirty is the only true way to ever really master this craft. We must see, do, and sometimes stumble to get better. Now here is my caveat to the above statement: if we wish to grow and develop in this career, we cannot sit by and just wait for fires. We must seek additional knowledge and information to…

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Added by Ethan Heigel on March 15, 2022 at 12:32pm — No Comments

The Mickey D’s Franchise Theory

How many times have you heard, "Man, it's like we've got four different fire departments working here!" Many have and we all know the meaning behind that statement. Fire Departments that have 3 or 4 different operational shifts, can often do things each a little differently. You know what I am talking about like differences in daily chores, vehicle maintenance, riding assignments or even operational responses. The amount of "different" can be dependant upon the amount of leadership…

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Added by Fire Chief Billy Greenwood on February 27, 2022 at 3:51pm — No Comments

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