my father is an Air Force Veteran, and a 40 year member of Northwood Engine Company 2 Volunteer FD in Hopatcong NJ, he is a true hero who taught me right from wrong, and how to be a man, he taught me to hunt, and to fish, to build fires, and how to be prepared and survive in any emergency situations, he has helped many many people, and would and has given the shirt off his back for anyone, rich or poor, good or bad, weather they deserved help or not, and even when he had nothing to give, he…

Dear friends!!! Really happy that you are visiting my personal Firemen Patches collection page Pompierul.md. My name is Igor and I am the first Captain of the rescue service, Head of the Firefighters and Rescue Unit from Orhei, Civil Protection and Emergency Situations Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova. I have been collecting firemen patches since 2011 and I am still a young collector, though with a nice world-wide daily growing pack. If you are…

Need some pointers for a small department looking to get a used ladder truck (quint) in the future. i.e. do's and don'ts.

Unselfish service toward others

What does this mean? Quite simply it means that the less able are supposed to be assisted of the sinking ship before the able body males and the ship’s crew. Maritime law (or operational…

Yes, as chief officers we want to be everywhere. We manage multiple fire stations and lead teams of firefighters and officers. We want to visit every station and listen to all of their stories, suggestions, and yes, criticisms. We want be at the fires, the bad motor vehicle accidents, and maybe even some of the medical calls. We want to get things done for them that will help them do their jobs. We want to help them grow. But we can’t be everywhere. Or can we?…

I know it's been a long time since I've posted but I have been working on a new book and it is almost done. It's called Saving Heroes and it is all about firefighter suicides and to help firefighters over come this terrible choice. I have launched a Indigogo campaign and I need help getting the word out about it, please help.   …

I never met Jamie Middlebrook but I knew him.  I knew his heart and soul,  for it is the heart and soul that unites every man and woman into the brotherhood and sisterhood of the fire service.  It is the desire to serve,  the urge to help,  The compassion one had for his fellow man. 

Jamie paid the ultimate sacrifice of any firefighter,  giving up his life while serving the community and because of this the entire fire service feels his loss.

Today I had the honor of attending…

Please be in prayer for Capt. Eric Trexler, he is a 16 year Veteran with Port Huron Township Fire Dept. He was been diagnosed with Leukemia 3 weeks ago and is undergoing treatment. Due to Eric being off work for 2 months prior for a shoulder injury he no longer has an income. The department is doing fund raisers for him at this time. (see attached)  Please Prayer for healing and financial support.. Please pass this on to your fire department personal.

I thank you in…

I get a lot of emails asking for good workout options for the firehouse when on-shift.  

Working out on-shift is a major concern, you want to make sure you keep your body in good "fit for duty" condition but also want to make sure you have enough "left in the tank" to respond and perform in an actual response.  Over the last couple of years I have…

Someone said this to me the other day. Again, a few days later, the same thing was said with slightly different verbiage, but the message was the same.

I'm not cut out for EMS. I'm not the right "caliber" of person to do this job. I get "wonky" after bad calls. I'm not the one for the job.

Wait a second? Then what was up with that baby in 2009 who stopped breathing? Why was I able to walk into that house, take that small, precious child into my arms and without…

This is something that my fire department has to deal with every year and we do have a plan for response to the festival but I am curious how other people would respond to it.

Shambhala Music Festival is about 10 minutes outside of the Village of Salmo but response can be up to a half an hour depending on traffic. The route is paved highway up to the turn off to the music festival then it is a dirt road for about 5 km (about 3 miles), about half of the road is only single…