I started a new video series and am presenting a new class at FDIC 2015 called "10 Commandments for the Company Officer: A Guide for Success off the Fireground." The class touches on 10 things for the new company officer to consider for success in the firehouse and dealing with his members.

In the first section, or the "1st Commandment" we discuss preparation. Without getting to long in a blog post, there are some very basic…

First Due Rural Engine: Laying the Line

I am wondering if anyone has or uses back up camera's on their apparatus? If so, what info do you have about them or would recommend? Doing some research for my department.

# 1 > Looking back over the years, things have really changed,65 years ago at the age of 15, I was voted in as a Junior member, later on I was voted in as president of the junior's, at 20, I became a driver operator, trucks, ambulance, with training. At 21 became fire police,I was asked to be Assistant Director of the Ambulance Board. Last year the wife and I went back to our old home town, called Linwood Pa. I visited the fire station, I asked did you know Chief of Police Russel Chaney?…

I want to take the time, and say. You all, are doing a great job. If it wasn't for you! who would do it!!!!!

The volunteers, You, sometimes never get any thanks. But why do we do it. Only thing I can think of , we love doing it.

Paid firefighters, you also are doing a great job. You have a big job to take care of. That's our cities.

You…

We joined the emergency services to help people.  We get antsy when we go shifts without feeling like we’ve made an impact.  We use language that doesn’t seem right to ‘normal’ people, like “good fire” in reference to that hard work we put in or “bad tours” in reference to shifts with no meaningful calls.…

FIREFIGHTERS!  SteakUmm has picked the top three finalists in their National Firehouse Challenge. Go to www.steakumm.com and cast your vote on facebook for the "Fan" favorite. Each vote gets $$ donated to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation and the winner gets $5000 to their firehouse cause. http://www.steakumm.com and cast your vote. 

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…