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 […]

Lt. General Hal Moore is one of the greatest officers in American miltary history. He led a valiant group of men responsible for rebuking an attack by a large force of North Vietnamese soldiers. The Vietnamese greatly outnumbered his men but they fought bravely and overcame significant odds to prevail. The story of his and […]

If you spend any time at a fire house, you will undoubtedly hear older firefighters say “It’s the little things that matter.” They talk about the past and tell stories about tedious tasks (which many new school guys would call “busy work”) with reverence. They talk about detailing brass, scrubbing with toothbrushes, and washing the […]

So many times around the Firehouse, I hear people talk about the “Good old Days.” They talk about how much fun it used to be and the things they did. The things they “got away with” and “How much trouble we could’ve gotten into if we were caught.” The war stories are great to hear […]

Building Construction When you look at these two buildings what do you know about there construction? Have you studied and or experienced the issues that come associated with these types of construction? What are the types of structures you respond to in your area? Some taught me years ago now, its not how the buildings […]

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 […]

Hello All, and a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!  I had planned on posting this article prior to the holiday festivities, because as most of us know, this is one of the most active times of year for fires, and unfortunately also where the highest rate of fatal fires occur.  But… Like […]

Firefighters often times don’t know the effort and thought that it really takes to make a great training session happen. As firefighters we are argumentative and our way is surely the right way the other guy is just and idiot right? Well your WRONG! In another article we will discuss the difference between Drilling and […]

Hey Cap, I read this article today in fire engineering magazine, can we go out and try it this well hole stretch. Kid what do you think your in New Yorker City that crap don’t work here we are SUBURBAN FIREFIGHTERS. Hey Lou, I read this article from this guy that says attacking from the […]

  Everyone has new years resolutions.  I don't.  I take personal inventory pretty frequently, usually when I have a change in my life or I when someone I know does.  Today I'll share my lessons for last year and how they motivate me for this year.  I'll try to be brief.     Last year was a big year […]