FDIC Video Interview

Comment

Comment by Paul Combs on June 9, 2011 at 10:22am

LOL! I'll gladly give you drawing lessons, Jeff!!

Comment by Paul Combs on June 2, 2011 at 2:31pm

Esteban: Thank you, Brother!!!

Comment by Esteban Andrés Cabrera Rebolledo on June 2, 2011 at 1:34pm

Today, you have shown courage and honor more than enough for any position of command, and if his health is not so permitted, know you that our Forum will be still our Lieutenant.

A hug, and force in life.

Comment by Paul Combs on June 2, 2011 at 12:06pm

I have received a number of questions about this interview and the officer title that accompanies it. So I guess it's time to make a few things public and clear up some of the confusion.

At the time "Drawn By Fire" went to the publisher, I was indeed the lieutenant of the best damned crew any officer could ask for! They are dedicated, hard working, honest and fun - a family. Not long after the pages of my book were hitting the press, I made one of the toughest decisions I ever had to make, and stepped down as their officer.

I have been diagnosed with a degenerative hearing condition that prevents me from comprehending high frequencies. Specifically to the fire service, the ability to understand radio traffic and verbal conversation when accompanied by competing background noise. So not wanting to put my crew in harm's way, I resigned as their officer. These days I operate primarily as a driver/pump operator on structure fires where I have the advantage of the apparatus headset for hearing protection and background noise reduction. It is as simple, and as complicated as that.

To no fault of their own, PennWell sees the bio info on my book and places the title where applicable.

Sorry to turn this into a Dr. Phil moment, but I thought it was time to clear the water.

Comment by Paul Combs on June 1, 2011 at 3:27pm

Thanks, Capt!

Comment by Paul Combs on June 1, 2011 at 1:30pm

Thanks, Chief!

Comment by Mike France on June 1, 2011 at 1:12pm

Nice one , good job