Tonight I will be presenting a refresher course on bloodborne pathogens. We all know and preach BSI, scene safe, universal precautions when we do training or during skills days but do we really practice it out in the streets?



I've been reflecting back over the last couple years and am reluctant to admit that we (myself included) sometimes get lax out on the scene.



It is scary to think about what all you can catch from someone through blood or bodily fluids. We like to… Continue

I've been teaching a FFI/II course which is almost finished (yeee haw - my wife will be sooo glad) While we have been doing alot of the practical skills as we covered the material, this Saturday will be a 1/2 day event to kind of put it all together.



I've been busy preparing the past few weeks, getting supplies and other insturctors lined up to help. I think that we will all have a very fun and EDUCATIONAL day.



I have search and rescue planned for upstairs. Will be setting… Continue

I started teaching a Firefighter I/II class in January. It has been a very educational experience for both me and those in the class. While I felt my skills and knowledge were kept up to date I was amazed at the amount of little things I learned.



I've served on our volunteer fire department for 15 years and have seen and experienced quite a bit in all those years. It never ceases to amaze me how much one can learn. Even if it means covering the same thing you've covered umpteen… Continue

Getting people to join and volunteer for you fire department is one thing. After you get them how do you make sure you keep 'em. Turn over rate can be high in many departments. Not only is this frustrating but also turns into a time consuming and potentially expensive situation as your department will consantly have to devote more and more time into training new members (hopefully getting them FFI/II certified) along with the expense involved in purchasing the training supplies or sending them… Continue

This question has plagued many volunteer departments for decades. People volunteer for many different reasons: everyone in their family has done so for generations so they do so also, to help serve their community and others, to enrich their own life and add to their experiences, and to seek the glory and spotlight.



The first and last reason are the hardest to deal with. If someone joins just because their grandpa and father were on and that is their only motivation then you will not… Continue