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While 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.
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.
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.
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!
Showing posts with label training firefighters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training firefighters. Show all posts
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Friday, May 21, 2010
Leadership for all times and conditions
Great blog article on leadership, see if you can "follow" these guidelines.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Experience Leadership
Posted by Douglas Cline at 5/17/2010 12:01:00 PM
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?”
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.
Don’t’ let your fear confuse the Department’s plan.
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.
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.
Don’t let Your Confusion, Cause You to Miss the Department’s Goals and the Mission.
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.
Don’t Let Your Confusion Influence Your Obedience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3. Reach out to everyone – Your ability to help others supports the true mission of the fire service To Protect and Serve.
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.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Experience Leadership
Posted by Douglas Cline at 5/17/2010 12:01:00 PM
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?”
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.
Don’t’ let your fear confuse the Department’s plan.
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.
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.
Don’t let Your Confusion, Cause You to Miss the Department’s Goals and the Mission.
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.
Don’t Let Your Confusion Influence Your Obedience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3. Reach out to everyone – Your ability to help others supports the true mission of the fire service To Protect and Serve.
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.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Relentless 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Firefighter Readiness
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!
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.
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.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Good Vent Job
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.
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.
Remember we are doing this for their lives and ours and that gets us back to the station in good shape!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Firefighters on firefighting
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.
Short version of the Truth
Great video to get your mind back in the safety saddle and remind you of simple truths.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Five quick tips for training
1. Make it hands-on
2. Make it as real as safely possible
3. Make it fire related
4. Prepare for the class
5. Keep doing it consistently
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!
http://www.gaston.edu/programs/images/scbabrochurefall09.pdf
http://www.gaston.edu/fire/training.html
You just really have no idea how great training can be until you go here, if you are a firefighter for REAL!
Of course here is my video offering of the day, be safe keep in touch!
2. Make it as real as safely possible
3. Make it fire related
4. Prepare for the class
5. Keep doing it consistently
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!
http://www.gaston.edu/programs/images/scbabrochurefall09.pdf
http://www.gaston.edu/fire/training.html
You just really have no idea how great training can be until you go here, if you are a firefighter for REAL!
Of course here is my video offering of the day, be safe keep in touch!
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