Mike Ward
  • Fairfax County, VA
  • United States
Share on Facebook
Share on Facebook

Mike Ward's Friends

  • Michael Madrid
  • Mike Stern
  • steve crump
  • Jeff Harkey
  • FireDaily.com
  • Frank Billington
  • John Crabbe
  • Robert Head
  • Dave LeBlanc
  • Ken Riddle
  • Brett R. Bowman
  • Jeff Berend
  • Tom Bouthillet
  • Mark Glencorse
  • the Happy Medic

Mike Ward's Discussions

UNR Fire Science Academy to close or be sold?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Chris Gaylord Dec 26, 2008. 5 Replies

 

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward's page

Profile Information

Type of Organization
Combination Fire Rescue Department
Job Function
EMS Chief / Division Head
Years in Fire/EMS:
43
Primary Fire/EMS Department:
Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue Department (retired)
Years With Department/Agency
25 uniform + 5 civilian
Dept. Web Site:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/
Web Site:
http://fallschurchvfd.org/
Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations
Town of Ocean City (MD) - seasonal EMT, College Park (Prince George's County MD) VFD - live in firefighter/EMT (1973 - 1974), McLean (VA) Volunteer Fire and Rescue (1971 - 1977)
My Training:
Fire Officer III, Instructor IV, HazMat Technician, paramedic
About Me:
Author: FIRE OFFICER: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE 2nd edition (2010) published by Jones and Bartlett for NFPA/IAFC
Former Fire Science Program Head at Northern Virginia Community College.
"FossilMedic" on Firegeezer.com
Day Job:
Consultant, teacher, subject matter expert
Relationship Status:
In a Relationship
Facebook or Other Online Profile:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1653699453
Why I Joined Fire/EMS
It is the cool thing to do
Why I Love Fire/EMS
You know that you are making a difference
Top Issues Facing Responders:
Crushing economic recession stripping resources.
Schizophrenic approach to EMS.
Massive generational change in leaders and bosses.

Mike Ward's Blog

Firefighter "AIG" Problem

Posted on December 31, 2009 at 11:40am 3 Comments

For the second year, taxpayers are screaming about the end-of-year bonuses provided to Wall Street executives.



While the pile is money is much lower, career firefighters are encountering taxpayer anger. Let's look at two issues:



TIME-TO-RETIRE



In the last half of the 20th century, some IAFF locals and state associations were successful in reducing the time required to qualify for a pension. Part of the argument was the punishing work conditions as a city… Continue

Just Enough Leadership

Posted on September 6, 2009 at 12:17pm 6 Comments

Henry Mintzberg is not a fan of the “American” style of leadership.



In the July-August 2009 edition of Harvard Business Review, writing in Rebuilding Companies as Communities, Mintzberg asserts:



"They sat in their offices and announced the goals they want others to attain, instead of getting on the ground and helping improve performance. Executives did not know what was going on, and employees didn’t care what went on. What a monumental failure… Continue

Professional Development gets an FRI Push

Posted on August 30, 2009 at 5:28am 0 Comments

ED KAPLAN IS OBSESSED WITH FIREFIGHTER EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.



He is the architect of the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) initiative started 12 years ago at the National Fire Academy (click HERE for related article). He has encouraged, cajoled and conceptualized the concept of linking training with academic achievement and… Continue

Idiot Replacement Theory

Posted on August 2, 2009 at 5:55am 5 Comments

We were about 2/3rds through our career when Eddie described his Idiot Replacement Theory (IRT). For every old-school idiot, jerk or loser who retired, our generation would provide an equally inept replacement. I was shocked when he originally made that statement and wondered if it still was true.



CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES



We were part of the hundreds hired thirty years ago as a collection of rural VFDs grew into an urban county fire department. Our first line… Continue

Comment Wall (2 comments)

You need to be a member of My Firefighter Nation to add comments!

Join My Firefighter Nation

At 5:38pm on November 10, 2008, howard said…
Hello Mr. Ward Howard Coleman here from Spotsylvania VA I enjoy reading your post. I grew up in Vienna VA also (Madison class of 87). Now live right up 123 in Mclean VA. I plan on getting my medic next year and eventually moving on to the fire marshal’s office. I welcome any advice you can pass along .
At 8:38pm on November 2, 2008, Firefighter Nation WebChief said…
Welcome to the Nation ... we're just getting started....

Dave
 
 
 

Find Members Fast


Or Name, Dept, Keyword
Invite Your Friends
Not a Member? Join Now

© 2024   Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.   Powered by

Badges  |  Contact Firefighter Nation  |  Terms of Service