No topic today folks. Just let it rip on issues that you feel are affecting the fire service, you in the fire service. your agency.
Archives for thoughts
We have been fortunate here at Firefighter Basics to make a lot of friends of some very well known talented Brothers and some unknown talented Brothers of which all provide training at some level. Whether it is FDIC on down to the Company level in their firehouse. The topic that always occurs or seems to at least is the fact that firefighter’s talk a great game but never want to show up for practice. Firefighters say that want to be the best and want our Profession respected, but is that really true? Do we ourselves really respect our Profession? Do we really work hard at perfecting our craft or do we allow that word that we use called Tradition to continue to be a crutch. Our actions are not imitating our words. It is said that less than 1 percent of the Firefighters in this country are really seeking to be the best at our Profession. I say that strongly because as a good friend put it, ” This ain’t no game. People die in this job. If you think this is a hobby and not a Profession it is just a matter of time before you get someone killed. ” I see Fire Schools and classes getting canceled all around the country for lack of participation. When will we stop looking for a handout and become accountable for ourselves. Sure I agree the department should be seeking to provide great training, but if it is not the responsibility falls on who?
Firefighters need to start being willing to invest in themselves and do everything possible to make it back home at the end of the tour. We are not babies here time to wake up. As I quote the movie ATL ” This grown folk business here “. I ask you to look inside yourself and decide are you ready to make a commitment to yourself, your family, and your Brothers?
Will you be a professional and prepare yourself for the fight. The Choice is yours.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOeUeKi5hG4
Lowell Massachusetts got quite a surprise the other day. They showed up for an alarm and ended up taking 7 people out via ladders. The roof collapsed. The conditions were so bad 1 person jumped, and 1 fatality.
This is a a sad story but a good lesson for firefighters all over. They showed up at 4AM with nothing showing and then all hell broke loose. Lowell did a great job with what they were handed. I wasn’t there, and I cannot say otherwise. But the lesson here is Show Up Ready to Work.
I have 5 reasons for you.
1. Lowell Mass. You DON’T know what’s going on in the building. If you get upstairs and meet a smoke condition what are you going to do? Make the residents wait for rescue because you weren’t prepared? Very unprofessional.
2. It looks professional to the public. Nothing pisses me off more than when we are in contract negotiation season,or any time for that matter, and guys are going in to investigate alarms carrying a pike pole and wearing a T-shirt. I understand you are a salty dog with 3 years on, but at least make it look good for the public. Show them we are ready to work and that we do work hard.
3. It’s in your SOP/SOG. If something happens to you because you were too lazy to wear your gear your department does not have to cover you. NFPA, NIOSH the list goes on and on of agencies that will say it was your fault. Don’t do that to your family.
4. IT’S YOUR JOB! If you call AAA for a jump start and they show up without jumper cables what are you going to think of them? Same thing here. If you get a call for a fire, alarm, etc..and you come running out to get your gear, what is the public going to think of you? Are they going to support any activities your department sponsors, support the city’s purchases of new equipment?
5. If you treat every alarm like it’s a fire one day you’ll be right and everything will go smooth. If you treat every alarm like it’s nothing one day you’ll be wrong and it’ll be a nightmare for all involved.
My take: Show up ready to work, at least put on a show for the locals. If you need your equipment you’ve got it. If you do too many runs to do the job right maybe you should go to a slower house. If the gear is too heavy you should find another line of work.
Good job Lowell, Be safe.
While having a conversation with some veteran Fire Officer’s, the topic of effective communications came up. I often ponder what folks with these fancy degrees, who take a host of speech and communications classes really take away from them. The worst thing that I see administrations do is leave a firefighter’s mind to wonder and guess what is going on. This even applies for the Company Officer. When you get information share it. If it is not a personal issue or personnel matter why are we making information top secret. I do understand that everyone in the fire department does not care to know, but there are many that do. If you are the administrator for the fire department it is imperative if you want your mission to be complete you communicate it to your members. Ensure that they understand in which direction you wanna go in and clear up any misunderstandings. Notice I did not sat they had to agree with it, just understand it and get on board. Most time you will find that if you communicate the information in a logical fashion it will be received very well even if it’s not agreed upon. Communication like I’m speaking of also gains your members trust, and they need to be able to trust that you are looking out for the best interest. So how do we get the information out.
- Monthly newsletter
- Fire Dept Blog site or web based media
- Regular and Special departmental meetings
These are just a few suggestions I’m sure more will be added. What you will find when you control the informational flow things will run a lot smoother. If you look at successful administrations, and company officers they are the one’s who’s member’s are informed, but they are still the one’s controlling the flow.
For today you can post whatever bothers you or is good bad; or simply just your opinion about things going on in the fire service.
How much should a non- fire service related degree count during promotional time. Should it have any merit at all? Should you even get paid extra for having a non-related degree?
Come out and support MDA with the City of Goose Creek Fire Dept Softball Tournament Oct 23-24
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Softball Registration Form For GCCFDGCCFD Softball Charity Tournament
Please Click on the Links above for the flyer and registration form. Hope to see you there
Today’s Flashover Friday is dedicated to talking about instructor’s:
1. What do you consider the minimum amount of time a firefighter should have to have on the job before they start instructing?
2. What kind of credentialing do you look for in instructor’s?
3. How do we solve the problem of inexperienced instructor’s teaching in the fire service? Stay for instance in state fire academy’s.
4. How you do you deal with the instructor that has seen everything, but has done anything, and has a million war stories?
Also you can talk about any instructing experience good or bad. Just do not use anyone’s name. If you want to offer instructor development tips those are welcome to.
Ok, so this doesn’t have anything to do with cooking Mexican food, but it does deal with paying attention the next time you are at a Mexican restaurant. When you sit down and look at the menu, take a few minutes and look around. Notice how they are all laughing and carrying on having a good time. They don’t fight over who’s table is who’s or who is going to do what. They all work together and get the job done. One waiter brings you your chips and salsa, another takes your order, another brings you your drinks and yet another brings you your dinner. The point I am trying to make is that you could learn a few things from watching these guys work. Proficient and fluent work, with little talking among them. They know what each other is going to do and know that if one person misses something, there is going to be another right behind them grabbing it. One guy can carry four plates on one arm from his wrist to his shoulder, and still carry one to two more plates on the other.
If these guys can do these things with small plates, why is it that we have firefighters that can’t even carry one tool? Why is it that some firefighters on the fire ground, have to be told what to do? There should be very little talking about what to do on the fire ground. The officer should be able to tell the crew what he wants done before they even get off the truck and not worry about checking behind their guys to make sure they do the job right.
Often times we see new officers promote into a position and the first thing they try and do is control everything. It is not because they feel their crew is incompetent, but because they have insecurities about the new position they have taken on. It is imperative that these officers are taught that being the boss does not mean you have to be the boss. The firehouse often contains a mix of Autocratic, but Democratic style of leading where as the officer does have to decisive, but should allow for others thoughts to be considered and used if it is the best solution offered. Also differ some decision making to the next person in charge such as your Senior Man. My point is by not engaging in everything that takes place you promote and air of confidence about your self and instill trust in your people that will carry a very long way. I caution officers who often have to take control of everything or remind people on a regular basis that they are the ” Boss “. I leave you with this question of the last sentence. If all of that is required for you to feel empowered are you really in control or the boss?
We are asking the question do you think it is ok to hire line Company Officer’s from the outside into a department.If so why?
What should their Credentialing be?
Has your department done this and what was the outcome?
What message does this send to incumbent members of the department?
What does it say about the leadership or lack of leadership in the department?
I came to work the other day and the Lt told me “I took out the trash. FF ____ is going to another house. He’s not our problem anymore.” My first question “Why?”. Now, don’t get me wrong this firefighter is apparently not cut out for this work. He does not go into the building when commanded to, he abandons the pump at fires and frequently goes AWOL and that is the start of the list.
So he’s gone now, not our problem anymore, right? WRONG!
Now he could be detailed in. He could very likely be a pump operator at a fire we are at together. He could do something stupid that endangers everybody at an incident. At least when he was on our company we knew what to expect, or more realistically what NOT to expect.
What do you do? To most of you it’s obvious; document, document, document then terminate his employment. My officer decided that strong arming the firefighter into putting in a transfer bid was the best option.
He is a liability to the department and as an officer it’s up to you to do the right thing for everybody’s safety. But because you think it’s better to “take out the trash” than do your job he remains a liability.
The firefighter in question is a good guy, just not a good firefighter. He would be better served by seeking other employment but that cannot happen while he believes he is an “awesome firefighter” (his words).
I think I’m digressing into a discussion about weak leadership here. Hmmmm..
Stay Safe
OK, after somebody pushed my buttons last week. (firestudent) I just could not deal with this half A$$ dance around the subject crap anymore. OK, in no particular order.
When you work at THE slowest company in the city “I fight your fears” must refer to insomnia. And you were appointed there? Come on.
The firefighter dressed in Black is a 36 year vet in an Urban department he does not have to look salty
While participating in a burn with brother firefighters the question came up about how nice and shiny my new helmet was. Although I knew the firefighters I was with where just kidding it made me think.
For firefighters who have not been in the business long or still think it is acceptable to look salty, let me impress upon you are wrong. The salty look means nothing. Stop and THINK. The set of gear that looks so worn could be gear that is used to conduct live burns in, which is a controlled environment with heat and smoke concentrated on it for long periods of time. Also, all it takes is that one hot fire that the individual showed up to all year-long. Looking Salty also comes with the most hefty price. When you don’t clean your gear, and you look so salty, those are incomplete products of combustion left on your gear. Think about that.These incomplete products aid in breaking the materials down in your gear and making YOU flammable as well as the cancerous products that get into your pores when you sweat.
These are just a few thoughts for those who feel they need to look salty. It is not about how you look that makes you salty. It is, however, how you perform in the way you train and perform on the fire ground. Just remember the salty ole dog just might be the cleanest guy you see. This does not mean wash your gear every time you get smoke on it. It means at least rinsing away dirt, grit, and grime. Washing your gear needs to be done at least twice a year just for the environment it is exposed to of diesel fumes and other things from apparatus. But, if it is heavily soiled it should be washed following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The topic for Flashover Friday is: Marginal Firefighter
1 . How do you deal with them
2. Tips for improvement
3. How to handle the rest of the crew tired of the marginal firefighter
We want to hear from the Senior Man all the way up to the Officer’s
Often times firefighters will wonder why during an advanced topic such as rappelling they are struggling with rigging and rope work in general. The answer to the question is because during Fire I they choose to not work until they can’t get their basic knots wrong. When you see an engine company who arrives first but is not the first line in the door it is because there is a lack of Basic skills training to deploy the line. The point I’m trying to make is no matter who you are if you have not mastered the basics you will not succeed when called upon to do advanced operations. Firefighters to often believe after finishing fire school they have mastered the basics; I can not even began to tell you brothers and sisters with less than ten years on the job that are not constantly drilling on the basics how you are doing yourself a disservice. I use the ten year mark because you have had a decade of time to practice until you can’t get it wrong. There are some who will read this that don’t fill the bill, but for the most part everybody believes basics are for the rookie. I challenge you to stop hiding behind what you feel is seniority and get up and do some more drilling on the basics.
On Wednesday Dave Celebrated his birthday with our Copy Editor Kelly and it was an oversight on my part. Dave thanks for all you do and a Very Happy Birthday to you. Hope it was a great day!
I’m going to complain about officers today.
In the last week I’ve run into 2 different officers that are poisoning my department from the inside.
1st was a central station alarm. The engine arrived first and investigated with all their gear on. (The right way) The truck shows up a minute later. The officer on the truck sees us investigating the alarm with our gear on and decides he won’t stand for it. He gathers his crew for when we exit the building. He says “I got scared when I saw you guys in there with all your gear on, I thought there might be a fire!” He was wearing shorts and a t-shirt at this point. He and his crew get a laugh.
2nd was a central station alarm in a housing development. Turned out to be a fire in the penthouse. We were investigating and the officer wasn’t wearing any equipment except for his bunker coat. No radio, no air, no tools. So we find the smoke rolling down the stairs and request the box. I start heading up the stairs to find the seat of the fire and get a primary done but the officer won’t let me. He blocks the door and says “wait for the line” I understand, OK.
So tell me. ..
How do you deal with officers who are more concerned about being cool than doing their job? Besides making smart ass comments like I did.
Does your department have an officer rating program? If so, how does it work?
Is there an officer training program on your department?
On my department our training program goes like this: “Congratulations Lt. You are the boss on Ladder 2 group 1, good luck.”
Why is it whenever we find out we will be receiving a probationary firefighter we get all excited and say we are going Back to the Basics. When truth be told you have enough equipment and topics to stay on the basics all year-long and then some. What I have found is that when you are getting back to the basics, seasoned firefighters have high anxiety for this also because they have not always kept up their skills. I have also found that seasoned and veteran firefighters love to teach for the fear that they too may have to do the skill and look like a blundering mess. Ensure the Veteran (Seasoned) firefighter demonstrates the skill so that it is known that he or she can still perform the Basics Skills also. It is high time to quite chomping at the bit when a probationary firefighter comes through the door and start asking the question Why just the probie. Recent events are showing that it’s not just probationer dying in fires and a great majority of deaths you can most likely attribute the lack of continuous basics skills training to a death. Don’t believe me review reports and tell me I’ m wrong then.
Rest in peace brothers.
After a tough couple days the USFA says there were 49 LODD’s as of 7/27/2010. 2 more in Bridgeport Conn, 1 in Otis Mass, 2 more in Rocky Mount Va.
A Line of Duty Death is one of THE hardest things a firefighter will ever have to deal with. EVER
For all you vets out there, think about what kept you going when you were deployed. It wasn’t because you were fighting for freedom for some people from a country you couldn’t find on a map in high school. You fought because of the soldier beside you. You fought to protect him/her and the favor was returned.
It’s the same in the fire service. You do your job and do your best to help out your fellow firefighter, look after each other. When one of YOUR brothers dies there is a feeling that you let them down. You let everybody in the department down. You have let their family down.
This is not the case.
I’ve been involved in the extrication and removal of LODD’s. Not a highlight of my career. Dealing with injured children is horrible. Dealing with the removal of your deceased brother is worse. The guy you hung out with last week, it’s worse. The guy who stopped you from falling into the water at that dock fire, it’s worse. The guy that pissed you off because he came in late for work the one day you needed to leave early, the guy that won’t come to work again, is far far worse. 1 person involved with the same LODD as me took early retirement, it’s that bad. These incidents weigh heavy on the people who work them. And I’m sure it’s the same in Bridgeport, Rocky Mount and Otis currently. But this is also part of the job. Personally I was fine until we had the victim packaged and were waiting for his company to come and carry him out. I came a bit unglued, no details, sorry.
Why do so many firefighters show up at LODD funerals? Because we all feel like we let our brothers down. This is the same job city to city, town to town, state to state. Same guys, same personalities, same family, same families.
The least we can do is show up on their final day and wish them good luck on the next part of their voyage.
The least we can do is show the city that they have more than just their own firefighters to answer to.
The least we can do is show the country why we are called a brotherhood.
But most importantly, to show the fallen firefighter’s family that we look after each other and we take the loss personally also.
Learn from every death or they die in vain. I hope the best for the people who worked the scenes, and also for those who are still in the hospital.
Rest in peace, see you in Bridgeport.
Once again we find ourselves mourning the loss of two brothers. Lt. Steven Velazquez and Firefighter Michel Baik paid the ulitmate price on Saturday July 24 in Bridgeport Connecticut.
It is way too early to know what happened and why, but we should take a moment to refocus our efforts and make sure we are as prepared as we can be to do our jobs. We need to be extra vigilant and always expect that the worst can happen.
So as you head to the station this morning, take a moment to say a prayers for Brothers Velazquez , Baik, their families and the Bridgeport Fire Department. Then take a moment to make sure you are as prepared as you can be. We owe to these brothers, and the hundreds of brothers before them that have made the ultimate sacrafice.
Many quotes and sayings, whether by well known Brother firefighters or the guy on the next due company, seem to play a part in who we are as firefighters and as Brothers! Lets see how many we can come up with. Since I’m tossing the gauntlet, I’ll be first: First In, Last Out by John Salka, “Leadership would be easy, if it wasn’t for people!”
While enjoying the discussion on Personal Escape Systems. Bill Carey from BackstepFirefighter really got me to thinking. Why are we always so reactionary to problems and want to fix them with gadgets when the problem does boil down to training. Don’t take me wrong I wrote the post and strongly believe personal escape systems should be included of some form with the next NFPA 1971. With that said I noticed another standard was created based on fatalities while firefighters are working in the roadway. Chevron’s are now apart of NFPA 1901 and I want to know if you all feel it is effective or just another costly knee jerk reaction?
Are firefighters getting hurt because we are not seen or because we are not properly placing apparatus? Has this really solved our problem or just become another merchandising frenzy. Make sure you go to backstepfirefighter to read Bills post. Very insightful
I once heard the saying “why pay a man two dollars when he will work for one.” We all know in the fire service very few administrations are safety minded when it comes down to asking for more money for equipment that does not make someone look good or get them re-elected. For years fire departments suffered without pass devices on their SCBA’s and eventually in 2002 the revised NFPA standard for SCBA included Head’s Up Display and Universal Air connections. NFPA 2007 incorporated the integrated pass. We all remember the fight for pass devices. So now it is time to take it a step further with the next edition of turnout gear to include a professional grade personal escape system. The mindset that oh we will never need that or that only happens in the big cities is going to get more firefighters injured or worse killed. If we went as far as pushing for a DRD that gets covered up most of the time because of improperly worn SCBA it is that important to include personal escape systems on the next NFPA 1971 2012. It would be much better if this was an OSHA mandate or AFG funding was provided so that fire departments could all meet this standard. What are your thoughts and feelings on this? Let your voice be heard contact members of the NFPA committee for 1971.
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