Lately there seems to be a push against experience in favor of education in the fire service. This push isn’t new, but this wave is riding the coattails of the preliminary results of the first large scale fire attack study, which is at best half way done. Many young inexperienced firefighters and officers are looking […]

What is it that prevents fire departments from throwing ground ladders or aerials? Why do ground ladders remain on the apparatus and aerials remain in their beds at fire calls? Why are RIT teams allowed to stand around like yard gnomes, not being proactive? And on that same vein if 2 in 2 out is […]

First off I need to thank Brandon for reminding me of this. This is going to sound bad, but stick it out. When recently asked how a firefighter can make changes in a fire department I gave a list of ways firefighters have lead changes in my department, and I’ll write about that in the […]

About a year ago Pope Francis gave a speech to Vatican staff, that most firefighters can learn from. He touched on 15 issues wrong with the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is one of the largest, oldest, and most organized institutions in the world, yet the issues they face are similar to those we face in […]

Please take the time to remember the Husbands, Fathers, Sons, Brothers, and Uncles lost on this day. Attached are the reports associated with the death of this Brave Men. Please study and know their story and the story of a tragedy that has forever changed the Fire Service as a whole. charleston_phase_one_report sofa super store […]

As I am privileged to travel across the country like I do, I see, hear, and read a lot of the same thing as it pertains to the fire service. Quite often I hear the phrase ” We gotta get back to the basics”. Now my question is to all of you. Why did you […]

To say I am pissed is an understatement, and the very reason I started a blog. It was to vent my feelings and share information that I felt may be relevant to help other firefighters go home. Just as any firefighter I can get my tractor cranking and go on a tangent and be wrong, […]

There have been many times that we have received comments, we have received emails, and been asked in person what Firefighter Basics is all about? I wanted to take some time and answer that question as well as address some Firefighting Basics that will get you back home to your family after every call. Firefighter […]

   Before I get started, I'm not a safety Nazi.  I'm not a KSO (Keyboard Safety Officer).  And I probably violate more safety regulations than I should.  But when I'm unsafe, I wear my Personal Protective Equipment.  When I am acting safely, I wear my PPE.  That sounds like a double standard I agree.  But […]

With the changes in the fire service being brought about through social media, NFPA (The world's leading advocate of fire prevention and public safety) has announced a new certification; NFPA 1521E. This standard will be known as the E-Safety Officer (ESO), Keyboard Safety Chief (KSC) or the Internet Old Salty Jake (Let Me Tell Ya […]