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If any one of the over 160 criminal charges filed against him are true, it would be astronomically difficult to argue with The Beast’s opinion that he is America's Worst Volunteer Firefighter.

Sadly, we see these news headlines all too often: Firefighter Charged with Setting Fires. What we don't see, usually never see, is a case like this volunteer firefighter. Authorities claim this guy, already out on bond from serial arson charges, did some other really, really, really bad…

From time to time, hazards that we may have previously recognized as low-frequency encounters become something we are much more likely to face on a fire or other emergency response. Technology or culture evolves. A particular process or type of equipment becomes more prevalent in society. And we get to deal with that.

While the particular changes or improvements may be deemed to make life easier, cheaper, or otherwise more efficient or friendly for society — new hazards may manifest,…

When it comes to facilities handling molten steel and similar substances, firefighters must understand the implications of adding water during any fire suppression activities.

While the event described here was not directly related to an emergency response, this is an excellent example of what can result when water comes in contact with a high-temperature, high-density substance — which in turn, flash boils the water into a massive steam cloud. The expansion of the water into steam…

So you think your actions don't effect us all in the public's eye? Think again!

Click link below to see more of Paul's work or to buy prints:

http://www.artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm…

Since the end of 2014, I have been reading and listening to year end thoughts and data related to the fire service. There has been discussion on types of calls, near misses and, of course, line of duty deaths. Numbers are broken down and categorized for each type of injury or death that is fire service related and then scrutinized. In many cases these are supposed to be used as lessons and to determine the effectiveness of different messages from different mediums about the prevention of…

The numbers don’t matter – Capt. Dave LeBlanc

As we continue to discuss the future of the fire service and it’s mission as it relates to fire attack, protecting civilians and our safety, something has become clear.

The numbers don’t matter. It was less safe to return from an incident this year than it was to operate on the fireground. 9 out of 87…

           With another Christmas officially in the books, it's time to again look to the future. Included in that future is the ever changing face of your district. There is no better time then the present, to get out there and check on what is being built, how are they building it and what would you do, should you have to respond to an incident there. We have three booming subdivisions being thrown together and thrown together quick, the one is putting about two new homes under roof a…

Many times we pass on opportunities to train or learn something although many situations lend themselves to doing so. Look for ways to incorporate the situation or circumstance that you are dealing with into a learning moment. The pictures below are of a company training on aerial ops with a candidate operator.

It was a call for an alarm sounding at a medical building after hours. After looking in the windows and doors and seeing no signs of smoke or fire and with the lock box key not…

May they Rest In Peace

Forever at our Lords side for they where taken

Before their time unnecessarily.

The lords wrath shall be felt be all those that where involved and those…

There is no magic bullet, by Capt. Dave LeBlanc

As we read today about the incident in Woodmere New York, it drives home the point that no matter how much we train, learn, research and perform, this job is still dangerous and we need to be…

In recent weeks I have had the opportunity to be involved in both sides of the promotional process: as a participant and as an interviewer.  Both are stressful and will challenge you.  You must be able to pull from your training, education, experience and coaching in both circumstances to arrive at a positive decision and hopefully with a successful outcome.

This post is going to focus on  being the participant in these processes.  In my classes on officer development I try to hammer…

Firefighters have physically and mentally demanding jobs which means we (as fire rescue athletes) have demanding nutritional needs to match.  Unfortunately, research confirms that most are deficient in some essential nutrients. The most common deficiencies are in protein, water (hydration), healthy fatty acids, and the essential vitamins. Research…

This episode of the Firefighter Training Podcast deals with a very serious topic about members who may be in some emotional distress because of the job, or factors in their life outside of the job. None of us would hesitate to help a brother or sister who called MAYDAY on the fireground, but what do we do with the thousands of silent MAYDAYS that are just as life threatening, but not being called.…

As progressive, engaged and enthusiastic firefighters, we all took classes, trained hard and created an image of the way we would be when we got promoted. We would do this and we would do that, damn the consequences and those we might piss off. But, when we got there, it may not have all gone as planned. Hmmm…..did you ever wonder why?

I have seen this happen over the years and it has happened to me during my first years as a young company officer and later on as a chief officer, the…

Being a firefighter comes with a ton of tremendous rewards. The brotherhood we share is unparalleled in any other profession. We sacrifice our time, family, personal relationships and family to be part of the fire service. I know for myself, not being an active Captain anymore, I’m still completely involved in the fire service in a different capacity. Helping firefighters who are having issues in their personal lives has been a 24/7 job for me. Instead on answering the pager for a fire at 3…

If you are changing the mission you better let the citizens know – Captain Dave LeBlanc

So with all the discussion going on about SLICE-RS there is a lot of concern from firefighters about such a dramatic shift in our priorities. While SLICERS doesn’t say rescue isn’t a priority, it moves it from…