Jason Hoevelmann's Blog – March 2009 Archive (5)

For Love of the Job

I, like other fire service professionals, like to read about goings on in other parts of the country. It is always exciting and interesting to read about large, unique and dangerous events where our brothers and sisters were put into action and succeeded. This is especially true of daring rescues that are recorded and written about. After all, that is what most of us got into this business for anyway, right?

What I find interesting is that each and every time one of our own is interviewed… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on March 26, 2009 at 4:12pm — No Comments

Respect: Earned or Given?

Respect is a word that is used too frequently in the fire service and in many cases is not used correctly or in the correct context. We use the chain of command for our emergency scenes and for our communication and disciplinary actions. The guy at the top is the Chief and is the ultimate superior in that chain and organizational chart. Although being at the top demands respect, it should not be assumed that it is there waiting for you when you move up the ranks. Respect is earned, not… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on March 24, 2009 at 11:35am — 10 Comments

Professionalism and Education

Qualifications. Training. Education. These are

all words that are spoken frequently in the fire

service. In my experience, it is typically lip

service and when real teeth are put into a policy

or guideline for promotions, pre-employment, or to

maintain a level of proficiency, they suddenly

become a cliché and no longer a mission.

I recently had a friend, who is not in the fire

service, ask me about the classes that I take. He

wanted to know if my… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on March 21, 2009 at 9:08pm — 4 Comments

Our Reputation

The fire service, as we all know, is a proud

profession that is rich in history. We are a unique

group of individuals who are looked up to by young

and old and who kids dress up like for Halloween

every year. We are in the public eye both on and

off duty. Our actions are continuously being

monitored and scrutinized.

In the day of instant information via the

internet and text messages and mutli-media

messages, we can be recorded in the heat of… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on March 19, 2009 at 9:25pm — 1 Comment

The Safety Culture

Last weekend I attended the Everyone Goes Home

Summit at the National Fire Academy. First let me

say that it was my first trip there and it was very

impressive. If any of you ever get the opportunity,

take advantage of this resource and take in the

experience and knowledge offered there, along

with the great history of the area.

Now, on to the Summit and what I have been

pondering since I got back. The purpose of the

Summit can be summarized as an… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on March 18, 2009 at 6:06pm — 2 Comments