As an artist who has studied human behavior for the better part of my 49 years, I can honestly say "huggable moments" are a societal issue more than a generational one. It's easy to point our fingers at the Millennials and Gen-Zs for this, but as an instructor for the past 15 years I can tell you that the Gen-Xs (my generation) are not much better. Let's face it, we as a…

Hello Fellow Fighters,

I am now retired but I like to stay connected by creating things that I think firemen would like to see or have. This item is a great conversation piece that would be good for your fireman leisure wardrobe and
you can click this link to check it out

Thanks for your service,

Donald Raether

So we are in the middle of a very large electrical storm here in CT. My department has been very busy tonight with a total of four calls as of now. Two for lines down and two medical calls. I went to the first wires down call just down the street from my house. Being fire police, I was in charge of closing the road while local crews worked to restore power. When i left the scene i headed back up the street and as i passed my house, i noticed a tree down in my drive way. i decided to just go…

Its the dead of winter, football season is over and spring seems so far away.  This is also the excuse season, the time of the year where most people fall off the fitness wagon and start to make excuses.  Its especially easy to make excuses and miss workouts if your not seeing results.  So, today I wanted to give you a little guidance and motivation (check out the FRF Fit for Duty…

This is a neat article on valuing the work of the fire department in terms your finance people can understand!.

https://medium.com/homeland-security/do-you-value-or-cost-your-life-a411e512bca3#.bsj8swlqq

Come check out my new website for first responders:

First Responder Brother/Sisterhood

The old proverb—fire makes a good servant but a bad master—has become too literal a guiding doctrine, for too long. This understanding characterizes fire entirely within the context of how humans relate to fire, while neglecting fires’ innate role within the natural environment, as an ancient earthly element, much older and perhaps much wiser than we human…

Podcast: Play in new window | …

After 4 long years, the 9-11 Patch Project has finally brought back the 9/11 Firefighter Flag. Begin the new year by flying the 9/11 Firefighter Flag with pride to mark 15 years of remembrance and support. The full size flags are only available here:…

Not sure when I will retire, but I’m all but positive this will be a phone call my wife will make!

STAY FIRED UP!

Visit my print store to see more illustrations and buy prints:…

Dear Members of MyFirefighterNation,  

Thank you very much for a few moments of your time.  I am a new member of the MyFirefighterNation community.  My name is Steve Cohen, my company is called Lighthouse Uniform Company and my business for the last 40 + years has been to make sure every firefighter has what they need when the time comes to dress up.  You might know us as the Fallen Fire Fighter Dress Uniform Program people.

The reason for this…

By Jason Hoevelmann with Steve Heidbreder

Tool or No Tool?

     When we go to conferences or sit around with other engaged firefighters there is no lack of lively conversation and debate. From world affairs, to sports teams, bands and of course, tactics! There is no better time spent with other firefighters learning about what others do and why. That is the key, WHY, things are done the way…

For the podcast, click HERE

This episode is a discussion about ground ladders. It’s a basic piece of equipment that has such a huge value to us on the fire ground, but in many cases, get’s forgotten.  They’re forgotten until they are needed, and then it could be a life and death situation for firefighters and victims.

We talk briefly about some…

Attached is an outline we used for a quick winter operations class at work. I ran across this the other day and thought it would be appropriate to post now.  The podcast is here for this topic as well.  Feel free to add and use this as you see fit. If you have some great tips on operating in the winter, please share with…

In my years as a younger firefighter, both as a volunteer and during my career training, it was driven home that we enter building fires with a low profile.  More specifically on our hands and knees.  I was never going to question my instructors, the books or the more veteran firefighters that mentored me.  However, the more fires I got to fight, the more I started to…

my name is Doug Hudson and am with the Ordway fire department from Crowley county Colorado I would like every one here on firefighter nation to pray for my daughter she was in a car accident on thanksgiving day, they transported her to pueblo Colorado for sugary she had bleed of the brain so they had to do sugary for that, and close a large cut across her forehead, then she was taken to Denver Colorado for more evaluation and more sugary on Tuesday. this will be for damage around her eye,…

Be careful what you ask for, because you may get it... and get it... and get it...

Cooking in the firehouse is pretty difficult.  One of the biggest fears of every firehouse chef is not preparing enough food for the crew.  This fear usually leads to an excess of available food and larger portions around the table.  So, today I wanted to give you a quick and easy “trick” you can use to get your crew to take smaller servings.

Answer this question:  Which is the larger black circle – the left or the right?…

If your firehouse (or house) is anything like the one I work in its full of leftover candy and sweets. Now I must admit, I like a good treat now and then but often I have a very difficult time stopping with just one.  Why?  Sugar.  Its everywhere in almost everything and too much of it can cause some serious health issues. Some foods, such as fruits and carrots, naturally contain sugar, but watch out for foods with added sugars, such as baked goods, cereals, crackers, even sauces and many…