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How Do You Honor Them?

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With the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial weekend upon us, we all will take a moment to reflect on those that have been lost, not just this past year, but in years and decades past. Although some may never have been directly impacted by a Line of Duty Death, we all feel for the families, friends and fellow firefighters who have lost Brothers and Sisters.

Many of us will lower our flags, others will hold ceremonies and events, and some will be in front of their computers watching the live feeds on the internet to watch the event. Unfortunately, some will go about their everyday business and not think twice about what this weekend means. Those folks are just “employees” and are not engaged in the fire service.

Even for those of us that understand the significance of the upcoming weekend, do we really make it mean something? Do we do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t happen to us, our fellow Brothers and Sisters and our families? The answer is probably not.

As we mourn those we have lost and pray for them and their families, we must take inventory of ourselves. We must recommit this weekend to train more, train harder, stand up to the “slugs” of the fire service. We must wear our seat belts every time we get on our apparatus and demand that the rest of the crew do the same.

We must do a 360 on working fires. We must check our equipment every day and ensure that it is all in good working order. We must mentor, coach and encourage our younger generation of firefighter and instill in them the traditions, pride, honor and “right” way of doing things.

With all the things that we must do, we must recommit to taking care of ourselves. We must get in shape and eat healthier. We owe it to our citizens, our Brothers and Sisters, our families and to ourselves to be the best we can be every time we answer the call. In addition, if the leadership in your organization isn’t taking the lead on these issues, become that leader. Make a difference and stay engaged. It’s contagious and you will inspire someone.

So, tell us, what have you been doing to honor their sacrifices? What lessons have you learned and passed on to honor their sacrifices? How have you ensured that we “never forget” and honor those who have fallen?

Posted by on September 29, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, firefighter-safety-health, in-the-line-of-duty, line-of-duty, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Perfect Company Officer

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This is a post for you to voice your concerns and ideas on what the “perfect” company officer is or should be.  Always a hot topic, I believe that the company officer drives the department. Sure, the upper brass can make things difficult or better, but the company officer is with his crew every shift, out on the streets really making a difference, or not.

In today’s fire service we are a jack of all trades. Firefighter, rescue technician, fire prevention advocate, plumber, electrician, odor sniffer and so on.  But, some of the most important aspects of that position are forgotten or just not cared about.

Our company officers have the ability to greatly influence the direction of the firefighters and the organization.  If you have an officer that is positive, trains frequently and is engaged in the job, his people will likely follow suit.

However, if your officer dislikes training, PR, and getting out of the recliner, his people will likely follow suit.  They have a great deal of influence. I have personally seen the trainsition a firefighter made going from a positive officer and crew to a captain that just doesn’t give shit.

What are the attributes of your ideal company officer?

Tell us about some great experiences and not so great experiences?

What words of wisdom have been passed on to you that have really “stuck” in regards to the company officer position?

In my mind it boils down to this; if an officer is not willing to or does not continaually improve himself as an individual and leader and firefighter, he will never be able to improve his crew. He just wont have the respect and credibility to facilitate that improvement. If it isn’t important to him, it wont be important to the crew.

Train hard and lead effectively.

Posted by on September 24, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, command-leadership, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

What’s Behind the Rack?

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Can you identify the problem here?

During a recent visit to one of those large home improvement stores, I noticed this.

Although this is probably not that uncommon, it is something that could be very difficult to find out in a smokey envrionment.

This is another reason for getting familiar with your area and the buildings that you protect.

I was visiting as a patron, so I didn’t look around at the entire store, but I am sure there are other issues that I could have found.

Accessing this stand pipe is almost impossible and these systems aren’t always that reliable and shouldn’t be your sole suppression plan.  They don’t get maintained and are rarely, if ever flushed and tested.

A tight fit!

But, that doesn’t excuse the blocking of this protection system. One way to find these standpipes is to look for their risers. These stores will typically have two of these at each end of the store.

Notice the riser running behind the rack.?

Have a plan for these large area stores. Know the building and it’s systems so that you aren’t caught off guard.

Preplan these buildings. Know what line your going to pull before you arrive and know the different access points for entry. The front door may not be your best option.

Stay diligent and be safe.

Posted by on September 22, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire codes, fire sprinklers, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, situational awareness, training-development, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Whole New Meaning to Modular

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I recently received an email with some pictures attached to it. The pictures were taken by Victor Dane, a firefighter in St. Louis County.  He took these pictures not far from where he works and has been kind enough to share.

As you can see, these are shipping/storage containers that are being stacked and pushed together to create a building.  Here is what Victor says about the containers and what they are being used for:

There was a Night Club called City Slickers.  It burned down and the owner wanted a building that would be fire proof and bullet proof.  These are whole cargo shipping containers.  There will be some rooms in these containers I was told. The builder told me building with these containers is very common in the South.  I need to get updated photos now.  The building now has siding all over it.  You can not tell it is a metal building.  I hope the local FD remembers this if it burns again.  The walls will be very difficult to breech.


As soon as I get updated photos I will pass them along.  We need to remember that with the economy and other factors, contractors and builders will cut corners however necessary to save a buck.  We need to also remember why it is so important to get out and know our area.

I post the importance of this frequently, but I just don’t think you can emphasize it enough.  You must know what is going on in your jurisdiction.

Make it interesting and stop at a building and put up your ladder just for practice. Sit and consider the obstacles or water supply issues with a certain area or complex.  Just get out and do it.

In addition to the fact that these may be being built with no code enforcement, what other tactical issues can you identify with this situation?

What will happen to the heat in this make shift building?

How will ventilation happen with the over roof?

There are a number of issues that must be identified and put into tactical considerations.  List your concerns and tactics for this building.

Posted by on September 14, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, exits, fire codes, fire sprinklers, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, forcible entry, inspections, situational awareness • Tagged: , , , , , ,

A Political Body that “Get’s It”

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Please take the time to read the article in the link. While so many cities and government agencies are slashing public safety, this city is doing the exact opposite.

Council considers budget cuts to find money for public safety staff

Stay safe and pass this on to others, especially if they are a politician with tough decisions to make.

Posted by on September 7, 2010 • Filed under: administration-leadership, funding-staffing • Tagged: , , , ,

Basics of Size-Up and Smoke Reading

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Here is a good video from our buddy Dale Pekel. Dale has a series of great training videos. In this video, he shows some basics about size up and reading smoke.

We have to do more of this, and like Dale says, be proactive. Train hard and we’ll see you on the “big one.”

Posted by on September 6, 2010 • Filed under: backdraft, buildling construction, firefighting-operations, fires, vent, ventilation, VES • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Hose Deployment

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What hose stretch would you use?

Here is an example of store fronts that are off of the street. This is like an alley that runs parallel  perpendicular to the main streets.

In most cases, these have a tax payer on the main level and residential units on the upper floors.

You can see that hose deployment is a priority and should be picked carefully.  The wrong choice could be very detrimental.  This brings up a good question: what type of hose loads do you use and deploy for non-traditional lays?

How long are they and what other uses are they good for?  What sizes and configurations do you use?  Where do you keep these loads and how are they loaded?

We have to remember that the atypical fire requires atypical tactics in some cases and the norm of pulling a 1 3/4 inch cross lay or speed load just isn’t going to get it done.

Train hard and be careful.

Posted by on September 3, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, command-leadership, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, high rise • Tagged: , , , ,