tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60043041046361453872024-03-13T15:24:11.407-04:00FIRE BATTALIONRandom thoughts on the great people that earn the honor of being firefighters in their communitiesDaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-5397666844812623952011-10-02T21:18:00.000-04:002011-10-02T21:18:03.144-04:00Rapid Intervention Team BasicsWhile it is bad to say that there needs to be a focus on firefighter self rescue and RIT operations, it is a reality that comes out of new construction, inadequate training, and unchanging commander abilities/training. We are going to need to develop better and best programs for training each other to help get people out long term.<br />
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The first ugly development that needs a flush down the toilet is the idea that RIT teams or whatever you want to call them should spend time on scene sitting in the front yard with the commander and all their tools sitting by his greatnesses side. RIT must have a leader with experience and great commitment to training that will get the job done actively. That means he or she is conducting their own size-up, listening to communications and confirming important communications, directing personnel to set up,open up with the necessary equipment to possibly rescue a trapped,disoriented firefighter. This all has to be happening as the scene develops and should have some standard actions like if your at a working fire in a two story house then by all common sense means get some ladders to the alpha and charlie sides and make sure they are set up below the window sill at an escape enhancing angle.<br />
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Secondly the RIT may need to be interior to be close enough to the operational area that might be a hazard to firefighters so that when ugly happens they can save that oh so precious time that we need when we get into trouble. You could even say here that the second line in is a conditional RIT team acting to make conditions better for the firefighters inside beating back the enemy. I know this goes against many entrenched ideas made by Chiefs who may have never even fought todays enemy but start looking at things like it is really happening and a firefighter is really trapped under a ceiling and see where that leads you.<br />
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Last thing is communications about and related to your location are critical for commanders and RIT so dont forget them. Sure we all want less supervision but this has nothing to do with that and is all about your rear end making it home each and everytime you go to do the job, Stay Safe Boys!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-DaKnjbth10?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-17506631975698098792011-09-19T21:16:00.000-04:002011-09-19T21:16:24.659-04:00Back to TrainingThe priorities of a fire department being so muddied these days makes me think whats always been a priority for me and what I remind people of the most. Training firefighters just as much as we put up hazmat tents and install carseats, etc might be a great way back to being great at what matters. You know there is this tone that goes off while the CSEPP tents sway quietly in the breezes of a long hot day and the dispatcher says, structure fire with people trapped. What are we going to do now boys, the hose aint been off the truck in months and the powerpoints are faded from over use. <br />
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Training is the cornerstone of being your best out in public for those of us who still live in reality. There is no way around it or underneath it, you will be lacking in the life or death effectiveness if you ignore it. Training means even if you did know it yesterday, do it again or show someone else how to do it and it should be something real hands on or best information plus hands on! <br />
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And...if you've got to go outside yours to find something wonderful than look no further than North Carolina Breathing Equipment School at Gaston College, boys it rocks!<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/eTyiQTg33XE">http://youtu.be/eTyiQTg33XE North Carolina</a>DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-59734690779309957432011-07-29T22:15:00.000-04:002011-07-29T22:15:57.829-04:00Rise up Leaders!Maybe you don't see this happening everyday, but I do. Fire Chiefs unwilling to call for the necessary personnel at a scene because of every poor and irresponsible excuse in the book. It contributes to firefighter deaths, takes longer to get the job done, and doesn't utilize the common sense training they have had as Chiefs...maybe. There are national standards you Chiefs are always holding firefighters to while you ignore all the ways command can work to keep firefighters safe. Take all that pride and ignorant ego crap and throw it away right now while you still haven't hurt or killed anyone. You want your generation to be respected then show us how your going to train yourself to do what will be best for your firefighters not yourself....come on... you can rise up and lead!<br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/2bk-tYIec2E">Command</a>DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-41753421094070812312011-06-24T11:45:00.000-04:002011-06-24T11:45:18.424-04:00Ventilation Basics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/btSQ2tYOElo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Here's a good example of how to not use ventilation for any of the things we call priorities on the fireground. If we want anyone including us to survive we have to keep a charged, working hoseline in areas where there is fire if we are going to vent. Bringing a dry line that might get charged and then going to work ventilating the whole house would be a no go, it goes under that thing where if we cannot get a line on the fire why are we venting? <br />
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Now if we want to open this smoke charged structure we better have the necessary resources on scene to get right to work because as you can see it gets rockin when we open up here! Even though Mr.Obvious shows his head about the basement fire, we still send a crew right in above the fire, the ventilation indicators give warning that this might not end well. Type of construction comes to mind too as the two windows upstairs that could be opened up are not, instead we commit a crew to a time consuming vertical vent? <br />
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So control the fire by controlling the vent, horizontal vents will do alot if weather and other factors like size are adequate. The size up of where venting is necessary is critical and needs to be reported back to the fire attack crew. Bring the right tools to the vent job so you can get it done and either get off the roof or move on to the next job!<br />
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Now I'm sure they are doing their best but lets not lose sight of the ventilation basics, good crew assignments and safety.DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-21111724697831307162011-06-24T09:59:00.001-04:002011-06-24T09:59:48.726-04:00Accountability: Where are Your People when they are not on "The Board"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kTG8Fo8UMKQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Knowing where your people are is very important if you really want to improve firefighter safety. I dont mean that you know they are present on shift or someone can look at a board and see there tag hanging there, I'm talking about knowing as best you can with your best effort where they really are during the whole incident. This is going to be the most important thing I hope to see fire departments improve upon while we face horrible shortages of staffing and money. <br />
I hear all kinds of fire service leaders talk a fantasy talk about where their people are but it is time to realize that communication throughout an incident is going to get us better accountability. This starts in training officers to report information that right now, in most organizations, officers tend toward the thinking that they know this information and do not really need to radio it to command because nothing is going to change in the next minute or two right? No, step one should be you radio a change in location, change in fire behavior, change in activity, and report as specifically as you can. Are you telling me you already do this, time to be honest you don't!<br />
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Step two, that commander needs to set up with an initial accountability board that tracks the beginning locations of crews at a fire or other ILDH atmosphere, because the commander should and can do this along with size up etc. If staffing allows then commit an accountability officer but until that dream world arrives do it cause it still matters! Maybe that second commander that thinks he needs to do command but doesn't could do this vital activity!<br />
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I'm saying you can have seventeen points of beauty you found on some website but putting good use of radio communications and an accountability system together is where the rubber hits the road, the one that is ugly and will expose bullcrap like "we have all the tags of everyone on the trucks". If you think that works ask yourself ,on your next worker, at any point in the run, if any one calls a mayday right now do I know a good location that they might be in besides, On the truck or in division 1 of the local super eight? HUH!<br />
Step up leaders, you do not control or impress anyone unless you've really got your crap in order!!! Read through some NIOSH death reports and think about reality a few more times today!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/yOSqHCTXwIA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-54514069020400667302011-06-24T08:45:00.001-04:002011-06-24T08:52:05.593-04:00Ventilation Practices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5kdarG2fPlc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Common ventilation practices have tried to advance beyond common sense and this is never a good thing, kinda like NFPA adding all the foolish "safety" standards to fire service apparatus.<br />
In the video you see two components of a vertical vent go well and fire attack go poorly which demonstrates my first thought here, why are we not communicating enough information so that ventilation does get done in direct relation to how the fire fight is getting done?<br />
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Why do we book ventilation to death and teach young minds to always get the PPV set up quick so we can get the smoke out when there are many other firefighting issues to consider like construction and fuel load for starters?<br />
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Underwriters Labs has put together some great information on ventilation that is based on facts instead of "backdraftology". Check it out!!<br />
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<a href="http://content.learnshare.com/courses/73/306714/player.html">http://content.learnshare.com/courses/73/306714/player.html</a>DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-59527329683606281802011-03-15T11:49:00.000-04:002011-03-15T11:49:46.712-04:00Fireground Accountability Starts with YOU!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kTG8Fo8UMKQ" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
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I wake up each shift day knowing that whatever I do right for my guys today will only be enhanced a hundred fold if I can get them to communicate great accountability in everything they do. This way all the everyday stuff will get done and if we go into fire hell and someone gets lost, disoriented,out of air,hurt bad, we might get him or her back home safe to those that love them.<br />
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Because great accountability begins when everyone communicates to the IC where they are, and not just in general, like the whole first floor of a building. Communications like," Chief, we are pulling a line inside Division 1 and making our way to a fire on the Charlie side." These radio or face to face communications let commanders really know where their guys are if things go to crap, and if you haven't been there, it goes real fast! Officers should be keenly aware that no matter what trust exists between them and their incident commander they must report their location regularly and when an assignment is complete say so. I know your thinking yeah, DUH! but if your honest the fire service sucks at real time accountability. Instead, we want to "do it" by setting out boards ,doing regular PARS, putting tags/velcro on a rig. <br />
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These things are all a part of the system that should be employed but lets start at the beginning of a fire where most firefighters die and accountability is usually way behind or sitting on a truck somewhere.<br />
This talking clearly to each other about where we are and what we are doing, is about really increasing safety for us all on the fireground. This falls greatly on the company officers shoulders and then each and every firefighters situational awareness about their individual location, should they end up needing help.<br />
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Communications are getting compromised everyday, lets all make great effort to provide updates on our locations so that no matter what the other parts of your system are, you increase your chances of going home! Those digital radios need exercise anyway!DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-36363112737465872012011-03-14T14:16:00.001-04:002011-03-16T16:17:43.329-04:00Rescue Training<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1214149085" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=103974597001&playerId=1214149085&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed><br />
There is always great training at the Fire Engineering site and this video demonstrates very well how to go to work on a trapped PT with a large vehicle. The crews are utilized effectively and a quick lift is done to do, what would be a best practice for anyone, in this situation, in your community.<br />
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Rescue training demands consistent, long term commitment to training that will be labor intensive and mentally challenging. These events are few and the level of readiness must be high to help these people when the need arises! Get out there and train!DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-8651335035192751932011-02-08T15:04:00.000-05:002011-02-08T15:04:52.904-05:00<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="270" id="flashObj" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=736094937001&playerID=106573683001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAEheacc~,POub7blnBC8tn37VLau4uTM2tSAah19R&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=736094937001&playerID=106573683001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAEheacc~,POub7blnBC8tn37VLau4uTM2tSAah19R&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="480" height="270" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br />
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This is a great little self rescue video that all should watch. You may find yourself someday in an unusual circumstance requiring out of the box thinking to save yours. This guy is grounded in reality where we all should be when we are training so i hope you practice this and continue to learn all you can!DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-22849438725379744652011-01-06T15:47:00.001-05:002011-01-06T15:47:52.597-05:00Vacant Buildings<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WO33GY8Tg8g?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
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Recently we see firefighters losing their lives or getting badly injured at abandoned or vacant fires and when you examine the training versus the response they are greatly at odds. The fire service knows this is a growing problem, the fire commanders and firefighters have the knowledge to react correctly but each and every time the only observable consistent thing is that most people on scene forget all the Mr.Obvious cues and go about risking a lot of life, for very little, even when an exterior set of operations would safely and effectively end the fire situation.<br />
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Very experienced officers will say in one sentence that the hazards are great and yet when they commit firefighters to an interior strategy they hurt them or get them killed. Why oh why are we inside, because that's where the action is! Not because of a confirmed rescue situation or hazards related to an exposure problem. You can use those last two as your excuses but they do not hold water with me because they are so few and far from the usual set of facts.<br />
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Its simply like asking yourself, if I know there is fire showing from a basement do I send firefighters in on the first floor? NO, NO, you do not folks, stop the madness!<br />
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Vacant and abandoned structures should be approached with aggressive observation and sizing up of the present and future possibilities of the fire potential. If interior operations are unavoidable then all necessary resources need to be called and a time limit might need to be employed. When the cues related to the fire tell you everyone out, do it immediately. Interior crews should always report conditions that are hazardous and leave when they are!<br />
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I listened to a recent vacancy fire in a big city with many resources and, while communication was great, no one responded to what they heard until very late in the game when a safety officer finally deems it unsafe enough to leave. Many of them reported very hazardous conditions and very little exposure problems but did they leave? NO. The commander wanted to know about the fire in the basement but not the holes in the floors and the sagging walls where people were operating. Real safety means taking real actions to make people as safe as is possible in this very dangerous job. They were lucky this time but how about I don't get to say that anymore and we all start keeping the firefighters safe.<br />
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Ask yourself this last question. If this fire I'm working has no one to rescue and no significant exposure issues and it burns to the ground what will happen?DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-21727071772021838602010-06-10T18:01:00.000-04:002010-06-10T18:01:00.455-04:00Incident Command System RevisedI feel the need to supply way of communication that will help with all the great, easy to use systems out there. The nims system that we are all using...har,har...is wonderful if you use it and I do not mean make your own use of it.<br />
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If your frustrated with the command structure within your department it is probably because of two things, which are correctable by the way. One is, people in your department are not trained in their responsibilities or held accountable to their role either. Two, the top does not do their role or respect the roles below them because their ego will not allow it.<br />
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So the change now to bring to your department is the very novel idea of.... now hold your breath....use your rank structure and hold people accountable for not doing it.<br />
If your the Chief and you pass information on to a firefighter or write up a firefighter then you probably just ignored two or more ranks that held the resposibility for delivering those things and you did wrong. YOU compromised the safety of personnel by bypassing the command structure. And since in most departments there is no one holding you accountable, its time for changing...YOU!<br />
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So start using command systems everyone and if its not your job leave it to the great people who do that for you.DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-11282868611489161042010-05-21T09:10:00.003-04:002010-05-21T09:17:54.813-04:00Leadership for all times and conditionsGreat blog article on leadership, see if you can "follow" these guidelines.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Monday, May 17, 2010<br />Experience Leadership<br />Posted by Douglas Cline at 5/17/2010 12:01:00 PM<br /><br /><br />Often in my travels and teaching I am asked by young officers and aspiring officers what it takes to be a good leader or how to become a good leader. I usually respond to that question with a question “What do you think it takes to become a good leader?”<br />Most respond with the typical answers; knowledgeable, fair, hardworking, etc. Well those are good traits, but let’s dig a little deeper into the meat of leadership and where it begins. Let’s start by replacing leadership confusion with leadership courage. This piece of advice was given to me a long time ago by Chief John R. Leahy Jr. (retired). It took me many years and a few more good mentors to figure out exactly what this truly meant. But I finally got it and it was not all that hard. So let’s focus on replacing leadership confusion with leadership courage.<br /><br />Don’t’ let your fear confuse the Department’s plan.<br />I can remember a time when my efforts were focused on myself and trying to be the best I could be. Many young officers or aspiring officers get caught up in this drama. They believe that the better they become the better they will be as a leader. There is some truth in this statement, but the meat of being a good officer is much more than having numerous certifications and qualities. You must balance these good components with the courage to believe and support the department and its mission. Finding out the hard way that I could possess many good traits and qualities was not the total answer. In fact it was the smallest portion of the equation. After several years of floundering I finally learned that the most important component in being a leader at any level is being on board and supporting the efforts of the organization. So often I see departments with individuals who are constantly rowing against the Fire Chief, trying to go in other directions rather than the pathway set out by this individual as they try to fulfill the mission. Our fear creates conflict in our lives. The fear is of many things, mostly of change.<br /><br />The business world is a place of constant change. The fire service is part of the business world whether individuals want to believe it or not. I will guarantee that if you look at any department across the world it is run some what like a business. There are budgets, personnel issues, accounts payable and accounts receivable. If that is not a business I am not real sure what else it could be. So with a fire department being a “business” we should expect constant change. If you look across the United States fire departments are faced with stories of mergers, layoffs and restructuring every day. No matter the scale, when these kinds of changes hit the work place, the literal, situational shifts are often not as difficult for individuals to work through as the psychological transitions that accompany the change. As organizational transitions occur they affect people. These are the individuals who have to embrace a new situation and carry out corresponding change. Leaders find themselves in roles of having to sell these changes.<br /><br />Don’t let Your Confusion, Cause You to Miss the Department’s Goals and the Mission.<br />Fire Departments across the United States have Mission Statements and leader philosophies posted throughout the fire stations. But walk in and ask a firefighter, or even better a fire officer, what their mission statement says and I will bet that they can’t tell you, much less live it. As a leader you must follow suit with the philosophies set forth by the fire chief. Generally these goals and philosophies have an end result in mind. However, with our disciplined attention to detail to focus on the mission, the end results all too often fall short of the goals. As a young leader, have the courage to embrace the leadership philosophies. For a while you are guaranteed to receive ridicule and be called a few choice names. However in the long run you will find that you will become well respected for your consistency and diligence by most.<br /><br />Don’t Let Your Confusion Influence Your Obedience.<br />With any successful department comes a strong vision. This vision is generally set forth by the fire chief. As a young or aspiring officer you must embrace that vision. Think about it: if the leader has no idea what the organization is to become, he or she cannot expect the people to know. No vision causes misalignment and confusion among the members of the organization. Not supporting that vision is just as detrimental to the organization and your leadership ability.<br /><br />Vision is in direct proportion to accomplishment. The more you envision, the more that can be accomplished. I know by now you are saying this is not how it works! Well, I used to think that as well. I used to see my vision instead of the department’s vision. End result was a catastrophic failure personally and a drag line slowing the organization down.<br /><br />Have the courage to obey leadership and the mission. These folks are probably not as stupid as you want to believe. There are many factors that play into the formula that you may not be privileged to know or even understand. Again fighting, questioning or rowing against the forward progression can result in a delayed or failed mission.<br /><br />If you are beginning to see the light as a young or aspiring officer or you are an officer who is trying desperately to mentor a young counterpart, you may be asking your- self , “What do I do now?” Well it is as simple as 1, 2, 3.<br /><br />1. Refocus on the department and the mission – Begin by putting the department first. As you do this and the success of the department occurs you will see that your success increases proportionally. By being diligently focused on being a team player in leadership you will see that you will develop good qualities and traits. Most of all you will gain respect as you have the whole at heart rather than you as an individual.<br /><br />2. Release a Gift – Each individual has a gift to give. It is the desire to share that gift that doesn’t always exist. Start thinking of the department more than yourself. By devoting your talents to the department and others you will reap the rewards. Ask not what the department can do for you, but what you can do for the department is a good philosophy to follow.<br /><br />3. Reach out to everyone – Your ability to help others supports the true mission of the fire service To Protect and Serve.<br /><br />By taking responsibility for your actions and taking some of the heat off of the team, the department will be able to excel to great level. Most important you are part of the solution, not part of the problem that leads to failure.DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-21381666447289168832010-05-11T08:55:00.002-04:002010-05-11T09:03:08.101-04:00Just Wear It!<embed src="http://flashovertv.firerescue1.com/mediaplayer.swf" width="430" height="370" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="showadsense=true&videodescriptionurl=http://flashovertv.firerescue1.com/clip.aspx?key=48F6415615855977&adtype=overlay&videoid=48F6415615855977&videopublisherid=ca-video-pub-3847988346517368&channels=FlashoverTV_Entertainment,FlashoverTV_Education,FlashoverTV_ScienceTechnology&backcolor=960014&controlbar=bottom&config=http://flashovertv.firerescue1.com/embedconfig.aspx?key=48F6415615855977&autostart=false&embed=true"><center><font size="-1">FlashoverTV is powered by <a href="http://www.firerescue1.com">FireRescue1.com</a></font></center></embed><br /><br />There are so many mister obvious situations hurting or killing firefighters and although training is very available firefighters still want to deny reality, I guess its the drama of it all. Many firefighters complain that Chiefs do not do the things that would keep us safe, here we see clearly demonstrated the culture of complacency effect.<br /><br />Here's the safety message, no debate, if your wearing your PPE you are very unlikely to get hurt , so just wear it!<br /><br />Also while your doing the right things, get out and do some hands on training it may save your rear!DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-65202761472229482782010-05-01T17:04:00.003-04:002010-05-01T17:12:10.287-04:00The Iron Fireman Rides On<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQS6X4mk4psJltTf87Y5uBrNLNdJAXLNsbDDjyL6WQsUFEzwROGBw3zz-xXLFcRGY50jfKq9hyt0es3BhfE_5zxEL9sxwFKpTA2agyfTlpWGv3iJ8iPEVHIcRFaPnjDNsrF3i89_-fv0/s1600/100_5371+(2).jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQS6X4mk4psJltTf87Y5uBrNLNdJAXLNsbDDjyL6WQsUFEzwROGBw3zz-xXLFcRGY50jfKq9hyt0es3BhfE_5zxEL9sxwFKpTA2agyfTlpWGv3iJ8iPEVHIcRFaPnjDNsrF3i89_-fv0/s320/100_5371+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466410846318552018" /></a><br /><br />There are old schoolers out there who may understand this best and I hope they read the description. This ad for a heating coal fired heating unit was found underneath 18 layers of wall paper. This unit was sold 1940's era and the company had 24 hour service, WOW! If you read through the description you will pick up on the similarities between the ad and real Iron Firefighters that last a great long time and provide great service! Short for today but this takes old school to a new level!! Be safe!DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-91512608245893812552010-04-29T16:41:00.002-04:002010-04-29T16:58:14.503-04:00Who is compromising what? And Your Complacency!I'm thinking about how our government friends are continuing to compromise SAFETY in all our communities today. The policies they employ in all areas lack one huge thing called planning. It is a good reminder though, that we need to be in a great state of readiness planning so that we can cover for their failures. This means that no matter what crazy out of line cuts they are doing we respond with great planning, that utilizes a team planning approach and all the resources at our disposal. <br /><br />The governing agencies will compromise our safety with no considerations or education, they will cut our budgets and our people, they will continue to think of us as unnecessary, so this planning we do must be with all thoughts on the table and considerable patience with each other.<br /><br />Your complacency will be the only thing that will undermine your efforts, so train and train and educate and move forward!!DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-44369688110395577052010-03-09T12:10:00.003-05:002010-03-09T12:46:46.602-05:00Relentless in many ways!The firefighter has many great qualities that serve the public well and one of these is being relentless. We tire from mental and physical exhaustion but press on to rescue a life , to preserve properties and assist other agencies. Firefighters are so relentless in doing the job that they become taken for granted like we see now with our crazy economic state "forcing" governing agencies to look at cutting the fire service first.<br /><br />I would like the Federal government to help us out in some real ways like passing legislation that would require politicians to be trained to oversee the services they presently do not and pass tests to know they have fulfilled the requirements.<br /><br />I think also it is time that all businesses that provide water to the citizens also provide water to fire departments without harassing them. These businesses should be fined daily for not allowing or providing water to FD's for training and firefighting. I doubt that if the public knew that this happens they would tolerate it and it would cause litigation.<br /><br />It should be a comfort to the public that while the politicians relentlessly attack us we will still stand strong and relentlessly provide great fire protection.<br /><br />I am rambling on today and fired up about politicians who are not educated...etc.... but watch this to see what will be coming to your town soon!<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0QnA6Sl9Y8A&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0QnA6Sl9Y8A&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-27851297612964448992010-02-20T19:09:00.003-05:002010-02-20T19:33:41.334-05:00Firefighter Bailouts<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xX0OWCPdA4E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xX0OWCPdA4E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I've watched this close call and wondered about a great many things about firefighting and this one also made me think back on FDNY Lt.McCormack's FDIC presentation because the two could be used together for training. While it is true that there are many unknowns here and I hope that the FD's involved really review this incident thoroughly, Mr.Obvious does rear his head here for several issues.<br /><br />There are many firefighters on scene at the beginning of this video but where is the vent team and where are they venting? There is great fire involvement of this structure but where are the attack teams operating, I count at least twelve guys with the hands in their pockets out back? Now the bailout, they do help with the ladder but how about a hand down the ladder, my legs are burning up thinking about how long he hangs there with no help. There's a possible rescue and you cannot see much sense of urgency. This guy with the cam on air is a joke in real time.<br /><br />I hope training and the guts to do what needs doing comes to this department some day. This firefighter is so fortunate to have found a window.DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-37238566486806719682010-02-17T08:22:00.002-05:002010-02-17T08:41:43.495-05:00Firefighter Readiness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o8eeRsrLuufc6savIhmNnkZt88CkyLXMPA1DInkjnWh_ah28AZdb6YvsJGgyqoKSPPXMV846aW2NeV4hcW9Iv0-lmmyJye238wLh82FY9de02OmCapxaotfE1WFnZOUWdRrJP10IxQc/s1600-h/IMG_0628.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o8eeRsrLuufc6savIhmNnkZt88CkyLXMPA1DInkjnWh_ah28AZdb6YvsJGgyqoKSPPXMV846aW2NeV4hcW9Iv0-lmmyJye238wLh82FY9de02OmCapxaotfE1WFnZOUWdRrJP10IxQc/s320/IMG_0628.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439206899762396706" /></a><br /><br />When your your brain finally clicks on in the morning or later depending on processor speed do you say, hey, I might need to be ready for what today might bring, right now!<br /><br />Firefighters are called to bring under control any event they are trained for or that other agencies are unqualified for and or are scared of, that is the truth of it even though it is spun many different ways when you listen to any media organization. So, that being said there are many details that we need to continually be prepared for and we have to relentlessly remain ready to do through training etc. There are so many details related to each thing that we have to work as a team to be in an excellent state of readiness, because no one man has all the needed strengths to keep an organization prepared.<br /><br />So this morning while I am finally becoming coherent(possibly) I am thinking we need to lay down the coffee cups and form a habit of paying attention to the details as a group so that we will succeed in all the ways we need to, just make sure today that all your gear,equipment is in a great state of readiness, it will make you and those around you better firefighters.DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-50847967802185583212010-01-31T08:42:00.002-05:002010-01-31T08:51:08.342-05:00Good Vent Job<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qWE1CZYYmsI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qWE1CZYYmsI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />These guys go get it done very well, I did wonder if the blades were dull as I thought man that vent job should already be done. That was maybe because the biggest screw up you see a lot is that firefighters go to the roof and take way too long which greatly compromises their safety, go get this job done and come off the roof.<br /><br />I put this out there because ventilation is very important to efficient firefighting operations and we cannot forget this. Also if you kinda survey the scene as a firefighter when your coming up on a fire you will generally see the best area to vent, if you watch the smoke in this video you know they made a good choice. <br /><br />Remember we are doing this for their lives and ours and that gets us back to the station in good shape!DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-3021287890387171992009-10-27T22:38:00.003-04:002009-10-27T22:51:15.270-04:00Why to always "sound" the floor before you go!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0tg1zElD3gljKKBkIU3wV9NrWu1SpmZUKH_t0FuHEh2dwEQg9nDuEmZd99bgqOVMkXtD5cjAhrGV_SzfP9xA0AjcdPut1in2R9zx1J30i4EIl8RXINUlmxMhRY645RBO12A2v10y-Ok/s1600-h/basement+003.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0tg1zElD3gljKKBkIU3wV9NrWu1SpmZUKH_t0FuHEh2dwEQg9nDuEmZd99bgqOVMkXtD5cjAhrGV_SzfP9xA0AjcdPut1in2R9zx1J30i4EIl8RXINUlmxMhRY645RBO12A2v10y-Ok/s320/basement+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397475497363639698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsrCU4gWnad1ZMALclT9IFRf3dk3_CvAgLzqk9n5c-vBK7TW-Rx-EX7WmGaegmuUmX-dgQ3Tq3iGhUsS_mKptUE4q5fokkCckQI8lerLfBLgnXQcaRFbyNw1RmiMRM3KM-CAsCespncI/s1600-h/basement+001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsrCU4gWnad1ZMALclT9IFRf3dk3_CvAgLzqk9n5c-vBK7TW-Rx-EX7WmGaegmuUmX-dgQ3Tq3iGhUsS_mKptUE4q5fokkCckQI8lerLfBLgnXQcaRFbyNw1RmiMRM3KM-CAsCespncI/s320/basement+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397475474315607602" /></a><br /><br />There are definitely not many "always" in the fire service, except that one glaring one of getting into trouble real fast. I took these pictures thinking RIT drill and wow how short a distance it is to the basement after most firefighters plow through this back door! <br /><br />We need to always sound the floor and not neglect to carry the tool,that will save our butts, for that job. This is a back door and so many factors that might get us into trouble are ready and waiting, the longer hose lay, a rescue transmission over the radio, a fast moving fire, the list goes on. We need to keep the training good so our heads in the game. It is fire season and let's carry our tools, Be Safe!DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-46899091452188642702009-10-09T19:43:00.002-04:002009-10-19T16:42:29.357-04:00Some more great thoughts to succeed!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwuv7jeQjP52dZHR8bA6B0Nhw1HsZfpx2yFD4KhGe-4vhaxlepSjh4NrLzXEeiAOSDJVDczl2LG0I0LqgKt3g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br />You should try out these thoughts and improve your status as a great firefighter!DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-78584119687379009692009-07-05T21:13:00.006-04:002010-03-11T16:06:47.185-05:00Firefighters on firefighting<OBJECT id=BLOG_video-850b0da08226df49 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="850b0da08226df49"></OBJECT><br /><br /><br />Here is a firefighter giving it to you straight, he has sixteen years of experience and is a level-head you should listen to. To be a success firefighters need to take on certain habits or traits that will carry them the distance. Here I will be bringing you a series of firefighters telling you the truth.DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-7038500733455110412009-07-05T16:15:00.003-04:002009-07-05T16:29:07.261-04:00Short version of the Truth<embed src="http://flashovertv.firerescue1.com/player.swf?key=6A468CF16CDEDCBC" width="430" height="370" wmode="transparent"><br><center><font size="-1">FlashoverTV is powered by <a href="http://www.firerescue1.com">FireRescue1.com</a></center></font></embed><br /><br />Great video to get your mind back in the safety saddle and remind you of simple truths.DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-78836980226222512732009-06-26T22:53:00.002-04:002009-06-26T22:56:47.203-04:00Carry On,You Guys Rock!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xwb5Ai7LN3c&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xwb5Ai7LN3c&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Just thinking about the boys up north today and what a sacrifice! Hope they are surrounded with great love and loyal leaders. This is just my little spot to say keep doing your best guys, you rock!DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6004304104636145387.post-33089607639956022832009-06-10T15:13:00.003-04:002009-06-10T15:27:49.025-04:00Five quick tips for training1. Make it hands-on<br />2. Make it as real as safely possible<br />3. Make it fire related<br />4. Prepare for the class<br />5. Keep doing it consistently<br /><br /><br />If you really want to be at the top of your game and train like you fight fires then go train with these guys, you will never forget it!<br /><br />http://www.gaston.edu/programs/images/scbabrochurefall09.pdf<br /><br />http://www.gaston.edu/fire/training.html<br /><br />You just really have no idea how great training can be until you go here, if you are a firefighter for REAL!<br /><br />Of course here is my video offering of the day, be safe keep in touch!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JpJjl_R-98M&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JpJjl_R-98M&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>DaveJohnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16824421136496824701noreply@blogger.com0