While at a fire the other night I observed some truckies at work. These guys were carrying multiple ladders by themselves and throwing them. Venting the windows it was fantastic. It lead me to think, what if that apparatus is not here. Do firefighters have the mentality to understand it is not about the apparatus it is the job functions that have to be carried out. In the system I work in engines handle the RIT duties and numerous other functions on the fire ground, but it made me think even further if the trucks where not available would engine men  have the mind-set to perform these roles without being prompted. While I am  agreeable that we have to stretch correctly and get that first line in service knocking down the fire. I also feel it is equally as important  the job functions of the truck company be performed promptly as well. Engine firefighters must still understand how critical it is to find out what is happening around you and not focus solely on spraying water. So I ask  are you prepared to take on  truck functions from your engine if needed. While having a discussion with our Chief of training he informed me that a quote that was submitted for a class on ladders could possibly get shot down. I was totally vexed. All firefighters must posses the ability to throw an extension ladder by themselves, rescue victims via ladders, open up ceilings, vent windows and roofs. the list could go on. Maybe I’m alone in that thought process?  A friend of mine once told academies should have “Truck Company for the Engine Company” classes since our fire service is heavily loaded with engines. My question and ramblings are for this reason. Do you as a firefighter understand the critical functions truck company operations entail? Could you perform them from your engine if called upon? Do you have a true understanding of why you are carrying the duties out? Do not cheat yourself really find out.  Truck Companies, Truck work is one of the most under valued functions on the fire ground and I say that based on the articles I read. Pictures I see, and cuts that are made. Truck work has to be done regardless of the type of apparatus. Next time you are at the firehouse look at your truck and think could you perform truck functions and how could you get it done with what you have.

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Often times firefighters arriving at the scene of an incident will sign off on scene and that is all you get.  This practice is particularly bad when multiple units are responding to a call. When arriving on scene even if you are the only unit responding to the call you need to give a size up and paint the picture of what is actually taking place. Firefighters right now are thinking how many times do I have to hear this. The answer is until you start arriving and giving a proper Size-Up.  While buffing various departments around the country from small to large I hear it constantly. Eng 1 is on scene, and then nothing. A suggestion would be if you’re arriving at a medical call repeat the address just to make sure your at the one you were dispatched too. ex: Eng 1 on scene 123 ABC street. You may have a large gathering that is outside upset about a death of a family member or friend. When people are emotional you do not know what their response will be.  Size-Up also is a big factor when multiple units are responding so that they can start to formulate some type of plan based off of what is being told to them. Do they need to lay a supply line? Do they need to pick up your supply line? Do they need to bring in a secondary attack line or just stand by? Does the first truck need to go to the roof or start their searches? These items are important to the efficiency and success on the fire ground. There are so many more examples that can be provided these were just a few. So the next time you get to a scene give a proper size-up.

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When we respond to an MVA, there are many factors to figure out as far as vehicle placement goes. Placement of the apparatus can either hinder you or help you. What I would like everyone to do, is write a little comment on how your department has the tools set up and what you do on scene. Are your tool’s mounted or do you have a portable system? Are they mounted in the rear, front or side? Do you pull past or stop short? This is just to see how other departments do things. Everyone does things a little differently and sometimes you can get good ideas from other people. It may not change the way you do things but you can find out that someone else may have the same set up but deploys it a little differently.

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While on the Fire Ground it is the responsibility of the Fire Officer to ensure safety of the crew. If you are an Officer and you are doing all the work while others are watching, You are simply getting Tactical Entertainment. While some Officers will disagree I ask this.  If you are doing all the work are your firefighters really learning? What kind of Culture are you creating? Use this picture as a what not to do if you are the Officer or Acting Officer.

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“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it is the slogan of the complacent, the arrogant or the scared.  It’s an excuse for inaction, a call to non-arms” Colin Powell.
I have several great stories about complacency, but I’m sure you can get plenty of examples every day at the kitchen table.  The only people you will impress by cutting corners and needlessly risking injury are people who do the same.  Dress for every alarm as if it is going to be a job.  Don’t show up unprepared to do your job.  Check all of your equipment every day; SCBA, lights, personal safety items and pocket tools.  Check everything on the truck every day; fluid level, fuel levels, does this thing even work?  There is a reason all of those tools are on the truck, one day you will need them, and you will need them in a hurry.  Don’t get caught with a tool that doesn’t work because it hasn’t been tested in a month. Don’t show up with just enough fuel in the saw to start a cut.  Would you call AAA for a jump start if they did not have jumper cables last time you called?  NO.  It’s your job to be ready.
Do your job with knowledge of the inherent risks associated with it.  Look around at newer construction practices, automotive advancements, economic fluctuations, things happen and you should actively think about the hazards involved.
The important thing for all firefighters to remember is that this job is “ultra hazardous” we don’t need to make it more so.  It’s easy to tell who is doing the job and who is just trying to be a tough guy.  The tough guy is the one on O2 with “smoke inhalation”.  He’s the one who you have to keep a special eye on while working at an incident so he doesn’t hurt you or other people.  There is nothing macho about being stupid.
At the end of the day all the people you try to impress will abandon you.  The “salty” old guys will be long since dead.  Your co-workers will have moved on, retired, or gone home if they are lucky.  You may have gone to their funerals. You may have worked the incident where they were killed, or injured bad enough to have to retire. Or maybe it was your job to console the widow or husband.  If these things have not happened yet in your career, they will.
It’s your job to be the last one standing.  Do you job safely and with all of your equipment on.  And ACT like this job is dangerous. Act like over 100 firefighters get killed in the line of duty every year.  Don’t be scared be prepared.

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Is the incident calling the shots or is the incident commander? Have you ever felt like that? Be honest. How many times have you wondered, who is in charge? Some fire officers have a better command presence than others. Very quickly we know who is in charge of the scene. As we respond to the incident and hear the first size-up being given, we know who is in charge. How complex is the Incident Command process? Do we respond to the call or do we make the call? Incident command is all based on Strategies, Tactics and Tasks or Functional Assignments. LIP, RECEOVS, WALLACE WAS HOT, CAN, PAR’s, LUNAR or UCAN are all acronyms. Do you truly understand their importance on the fireground or do you just go through the motions? Training, experience and knowing your SOP’s are crucial to effectively managing a scene. Are you prepared when you ride the “seat”; respond as an acting or duty officer? Are you truly prepared to place human lives in harms way? The answer better be YES! It needs to be YES. There is an old firefighters saying out there, “Every great fire chief has a parking lot on their resume.” Put your ego aside. DO NOT fight a losing battle. If you hesitate, the eight ball seems to get bigger and bigger. Micromanagement, free-lancing, political correctness and personal differences have no place on the fireground. The person who called 9-1-1 doesn’t care if you like someone or not. Incident Command starts before we ever get on scene. Know your area, your alarm assignments, resource availability and know your people. Take what the dispatcher has given you. The address tells us a lot. Where we are going? If you truly know your area, you will already be formulating a plan. Once you arrive on scene, PAINT the picture. Tell others what you have. Get out of the vehicle and walk around, all the way around the structure. If you can’t complete the walk around, relay the information. If you have pertinent information, pass it along. It’s not a secret. Whether your department performs the IC from a vehicle (fixed command) or stands in the front yard (mobile command) get into position. If you have arrived ahead of other responding apparatus whether POV or in a staff vehicle, formulate a plan, based on the resources responding. This means you need to pay attention to the radio. If you are in the “seat” and are the first arriving formulate a plan. Again, pay attention to the radio while responding to the scene. Establish command, establish accountability, and establish a presence. Base your water supply and fire flows on the size of the structure. Have your crews communicate and communicate with your crews. Well we all know what goes on now, the fire goes out. If you practice this before it happens events will go off more smoothly. As you ride your area, look at Residential, Commercial and Industrial buildings and ask yourself if that building was on fire, what would be my size-up, where would I place the first line, the aerial, what is my access for additional incoming units? Where is the closest hydrant, is this a mobile water supply operation? Can this be done, prior to the fire? YES. Pick up a fire magazine and look at the cover, practice and practice some more. Take classes, talk to the folks who have command experience and pick their brains. Manage the scene; anticipate any and all problems such as water supply issues, personnel issues (training/experience levels), apparatus placement, equipment failures, significant fire behavior, rapid fire spread. Read the smoke. Don’t let FRUSTRATION set in. When it does, control slowly slips away from the incident commander. Stick to the basics, don’t over-complicate the process. It’s not about how much you talk on the radio. It’s about bringing everyone home.

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Has anyone noticed lately that we have started to navigate away from wearing actual uniforms? The uniform was one of  the most scared parts of our job. Putting on our uniform could make a man change the way he felt on the inside. Firefighters today have just started wearing whatever they feel. You see firefighters in hats that don’t match of all colors. Sneakers with the uniform instead of some nicely polished boots. Collar brass is either missing or hanging off. Firefighters whom could careless about having a Class A uniform for when the time comes to be at a formal function or when having to do the unthinkable and ring out that last alarm for a brother who has returned home to quarters for the last time. Perhaps the most disturbing part are the Chief Officers these days who wear the business suits or everything else but a uniform to work. Where did the pride go? When was it not the classier thing to wear to a function where you are representing the department? When did it not become good enough to display your pride and belief in your department?  When did a degree make you such a snob that you feel a uniform is not professional enough? These are questions I pose because our uniform is what sets us apart and makes us stand out from the rest. It is such an amazing feeling to be out in the public and have a citizen you protect come up to you and say you firefighters sure are sharp. I will even go as far as to say this. You show me a department that has a well thought out and squared away uniform and I’ll show you a department that is pretty squared away. If you show me a department that every member wears something different and Chief Officers who either half wear the uniform or don’t wear one at all, or firefighters who wear the uniform how they want I will show you a dysfunctional department. It may seem simple to you but think about what you just read and I think you will find it to be true. Our uniform speaks volumes about us, and our department. The next time you put on your uniform have some Pride! The uniform represents what we stand for, who we are, and most importantly those who came before.

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