Jason Hoevelmann's Blog (72)

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Added by Jason Hoevelmann on February 8, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

The Beginning

Since starting this blog, I have been asked what exactly “A Firefighter’s Own Worst Enemy” means. Well, it means a great deal.

First let’s start with the logo since it came last. The logo is a devil. I had plans to make him wear a fire helmet, but, it just took away from the look I wanted. But, what he is doing is stirring the pot.

We have those guys and gals that like nothing better than to keep tension and discord in the… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on January 16, 2010 at 2:50pm — No Comments

Things Aren't Always What They Seem

This living room looks like any other you might run across in any neighborhood. Other than the fact that it is taped off, probably to keep our dirty feet off the clean, lightly colored carpet. After all, we need to keep our customers happy. We are no doubt protecting the living room from damage after, oh, maybe a kitchen fire, an electrical fire somewhere else in the house. In fact, we might want to check the basement for the… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on January 4, 2010 at 1:06pm — 7 Comments

Ice Rescue: Technician Required?

It is the time of year when the weather gets especially cold and ice is forming on the lakes and ponds. It is also when many departments start actually getting out on and in the ice to train for ice related emergencies. One of the departments that I am a part of and others around us do train on this topic. The question has been raised by many, some legitimately concerned and others just trying to stay out of the ice, if a person should be trained to technician level before he/she enters the… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on January 4, 2010 at 12:17pm — 4 Comments

Leader?

I have been reading books on historical figures and great leaders. I find these people fascinating and intriguing. Many of these individuals have been studied on their leadership style and characteristics in great detail. However, the parallels to these great politicians, executives, generals and peace keepers is that they were aware of their surroundings and those around them. They all understood there was a greater cause.

In the fire service, the same can be said about our great leaders.… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on July 17, 2009 at 9:31pm — 1 Comment

A Spartan Attitude for Firefighters

I recently watched the movie “300” and find it to be inspiring and historically interesting. I have seen it maybe three or four times and this most recent viewing it made me stop and think. These Spartans were a proud, honorable and highly trained group of men and society. It was an honor to die protecting Sparta.

Sound familiar? The fire service should be a place that we are proud, honorable and in trying to save a life, we are revered for giving our lives to save another. At least that… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on May 17, 2009 at 11:07am — 10 Comments

Stay Positive and Be the Change Agent

I was talking to some old friends that I had worked with when I had originally got hired as a career firefighter. We were discussing the “good old days” and having a good laugh. We all have moved on to different departments and districts since then, but we all agreed that those were some the best times of our careers. The pay and benefits weren’t great, we had our share of issues with the city, but we were a tight group and we had a blast on duty.

Most of us have moved on to bigger… Continue

Added by Jason Hoevelmann on April 10, 2009 at 11:49pm — No Comments

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