Becoming a firefighter is quite a process and always has been. The testing has taken many forms over the years. When I tested in the early 80s it was so grueling I vomited following the physical agility test and had to sit in my car for 10-15 minutes before I could drive.…

I have had a lot of friends ask me how do firefighters feel about all the things that have happened this week in America, from the Boston Marathon to West, Texas and the many other tragic events less reported. I can’t speak for all firefighters and would never attempt something so arrogant as to try and express how it feels to lose a…

Excerpt with permission of blog posted at pipenozzle.com

Firehouse.com reprinted a New London Day article reporting that Poquonnock Bridge Fire District czar Alan Ackley wants to take PBFD into the future by returning to the past, a vague romanticized past where PBFD property owners were protected by volunteer firefighters. You might ask him to first read …

I have a friend who lives in England, who is in his late 90's, who collects fire department trading cards, I am asking all brothers and sisters out there if your department have these cards to please send to me so I can send to him, I will in turn send you cards from my department as a trade off. If anyone in any department would like to do this, please send me an e-mail at:…

There is a life cycle for a firefighter. Some people say as a child, I want to be a firefighter when I grow up and they do. Some like me fall into it and now a days there is a new type of firefighter, the well educated-advanced-degree-holding-uncommitted-I-need-a-job-for-now kind.…

Follow the link below to my article on ensuring our basic life-saving equipment is checked often.  Essentially these are the tools that take care of us!

http://openthenozzle.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/take-care-of-the-tools-that-take-care-of-you/

Follow the link below to an article I posted on my webpage.  It identifies what our RIT companies should be doing on the fireground.  Just because we have caught the RIT assignment doesn't mean we have to just stand around grumbling because we didn't catch the first line.  Click the link below to continue reading.…

Follow the link below to an article I posted on my webpage about developing a training program for your fire department.  The information provided can be very helpful to new and old training officers or just anyone assigned to cover a drill night. 

http://openthenozzle.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/developing-an-annual-training-program/#more-79

Author’s Note: I address firefighters in this article, but the information provided applies to any and all emergency response professionals.

Suicide is a very serious topic that we rarely discuss. Each year, thousands of adults and children either attempt or complete suicide to resolve problems or put an end to emotional pain. As a result of their deaths, surviving family members and friends not only grieve, but must cope with feelings of guilt, anger,…

Longtime Firefighter - EMT James Alexander will be receiving a 35 year Service Award on Monday, April 8, 2013 @ 7:00 PM at 13791 Lake Blvd in the City of Shasta Lake, California at Fire Station 3. The Award Presentation will be held during the regularly scheduled Shasta Lake Fire District Board of Director's Meeting. This event is open to the Public for all those who wish to attend.

It is with great sadness to announce our Chief and friend has paased away . Mathew Simpson of Lake Hamilton Fire Dept in Hot Springs , Arkansas passed away today after a short battle with cancer . Please pray for the family and community . God Bless you Matt . You are a great friend .

       I AM SURE that somebody, somewhere has blogged on this issue, but I'm going to go ahead and do it, because it's something that is on my mind at this moment.  It's a REAL problem in the fire service as a whole.  Historically, the Department I'm on has had morale problems, as have many others, however, I feel that we have been doing a really good job of getting it back on track for the most…

   Hello friends.  This is my first attempt at a blog so I figured I'd give you a bit of a background on who I am and my experience. First,  I've been a Firefighter for the better part of 8 years.  I started volunteering as soon as I got out of high school in Lebanon, MO and quickly realized that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.  I became a full time Firefighter in the early part of 2009 with St. Robert City Fire and Rescue in St. Robert, Missouri.  As a matter of fact,…