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New…

R&R Toolkit: The Interview Process…

My friend and fellow blogger at www.buffalo.com/yourhub, Deanna Russo, asked me to share this info with firefighters concerned about the effects of drunk driving on our families and our communities. There isn't one of us who hasn't been affected by a drunk driver in some way in their lifetime.

Deanna lost her sister to someone's deadly decision 10 years ago.

If you're local, I hope you'll consider attending. If you're too far away, I…

By: Tiger Schmittendorf

January 27, 2008

View the story of Bob's funeral courtesy…

Following is the official death notice and funeral arrangements from the Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department: Download Funeral Announcement-Newell.pdf

My close friend and associate Bob Newell passed away suddenly on Tuesday-January 22nd at his home.

Bob was a great educator, trainer, mentor and friend to literally thousands of…

Several months ago I wrote an article detailing the story of a volunteer fire department still reeling from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. The story was two years in the making then, but one that had never been told. And, they're still…

This article is one in a series of toolkits focusing on recruitment, retention and fire service marketing.

Download R&R Toolkit-Prospective Member Guide-FASNY.pdf…

This was originally posted at my blog at: http://buffalo.yourhub.com/southtowns

“No one knows the troubles I’ve seen.”

Sounds like a country-western song lyric, but there’s certainly some truth to it in the emergency services community. The life of a…

As most of you know there's one annual fire service ritual that has the greatest impact on the community. I'm not talking about the annual "Come Meet Santa Claus" parade and party at the fire station. And I'm not talking about the once-a-year chicken barbeque or pancake breakfast.…

I was working with a consultant recently who listed "training requirements" as one of the deterrents to why people join or stay in the volunteer fire service. I told her that those words jumped right off the page at me and for the first time, I was offended by them.

We have to change our complete attitude towards training. It requires a 180 degree cultural shift from the way we approach training. They're not training requirements - they're training NEEDS!

Training is what we…

Getting the word out about what your fire department is doing for its community is a never ending task. But, it doesn't have to be an expensive or time consuming one if you're smart about it.

I write a lot. I mean a lot. I have my blog here and I also write as a featured blogger for the Buffalo News at www.buffnews.com/yourhub/southtowns. I also write frequent submissions for two local publications, the…

It is with great sadness that I must announce the passing of Michael V. Walters, former Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Emergency Services.

Mike Walters retired as our commissioner in December of 2005 and was diagnosed with cancer in September of 2006.…

ALWAYS HAVE A WORKING SMOKE DETECTOR! This melted but functional smoke detector is credited with saving the life of Bob…

Some 500 members of the local area and the public safety community were in attendance at St. Vincent DePaul Church to pay their final respects to local resident John Joseph…

I just wrapped up my "Leadership in the Firehouse" conversation with about 50 of the good folks in Chautauqua County tonight at the really cool Fredonia Opera House. What a great venue for an interactive conversation! And interactive it was with plenty of good discussion on people management and we even had quite a few good laughs too, mostly at my expense.

Hats off to Joel Biscaro and the Chautauqua County Chiefs for their commitment to the survival and success of the volunteer fire…

I just want to say thanks and congratulations to the 40+ volunteer firefighters, first responders, county, town and village officials who attended our "Leadership in the Firehouse" conversation last night at the Genesee County Fire Training Center in Batavia NY.…

October 23, 2007

The Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department is saddened to announce that Firefighter Charles Nagel died on Sunday October 21st after a lengthy illness.

Charlie was a 28-year veteran of the fire department. Chuck was a very active member of the fire department. He was a past Vice President and President; a Line Lieutenant and Line Captain of Hamburg Heavy Rescue and on many committees including Bi-Laws and Grant writing.

He was active in the South-Towns…

NOTICE OF FIREFIGHTER DEATH:

The Lake Erie Beach Fire Company (Town of Evans NY) is saddened to announce that Firefighter John Freidhoff died on Friday – October 19^th in a diving accident in Lake…