If you aren’t watching the new show on NBC called Chicago Fire you should be. The show has a great pedigree it comes from Dick Wolf of Law and order fame and a friend Derek Hass. I don’t give it a strong recommend because I know some of the people involved, but rather because it is serving an educational roll in my opinion.

After the first episode my sister called me. She was nearly in tears after having watched the show. She told me that the show…

Hello everyone!

Yesterday I was at my firehouse in the parking lot and a member of the OEM was in his truck. He was waiting for the word to drive some water to a nearby neighborhood whose residents couldn't get off their street. I am a member of the OEM but since I am also a volunteer FF, I seldom get to do OEM work during an incident. We were chatting and I mentioned that I was basically camped out at the firehouse. He said, "playing den mother?" Boy, I was insulted but being…

Seems like forever, doesn't it?

I am ALIVE and well!!! I hope you are all well to!

Love your friend, Denise

It is imperative that you bring your mind to the fight.

For those that follow this blog and Backstep Firefighter, you are aware of our catch phrase. “Expect Fire”. This phrase, inspired by the words of Andy Fredericks, was developed by…

Hello Friends and Fellow Members, 

I'm pleased to share the news that EMS World recently posted an interview on their website about my new book Ghetto Medic: A Father in the 'Hood.  Ghetto Medic, is a true story chronicling my father's career as a firefighter and paramedic in the 1960s and 1970s, when the field of emergency medical care was at the dawn of a new era.  I spent nearly a decade collaborating on the project with my dad, Bill Hennick.  I'm…

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to chat with a nationally-known fire service legend.  How fortunate for me to be one of the two guys with over seventy combined years in the fire service– just shooting the shit. 

Eventually, the talk turned from how much our management of the emergency scene has changed over the decades our scene management has come over the years- to the importance of situational awareness in general.

Then he reminded me of a well-known story about…

A couple weeks ago I posted a cardio interval workoutthat can be performed at the firehouse with in about 15 to 25 minutes with minimal equipment.  Do to the great response (please keep the comments and emails coming) I put together another workout.   Once again this is an option for a firefighter/medic that has minimal equipment and time yet still…

A couple weeks ago I published a blog post about "defining Firefighter Fit." I appreciate the numerous responses and comments about this question (see that blog post here) and today want to follow up and add some more information and questions about this topic. One of the consensus opinions expressed when asked to define "firefighter fit" was that a…

Here’s another basic extrication technique for you to try at your next training.  It has everything to do with brake pedal displacement when a victims foot is entrapped.  For more on the old school techniques click here.…

this song got me through the academy 5 years ago. just wanted to share it since my daughter had sent it to me back then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Em4fUOrZo

i was feeling sad tonight and it just popped up on my screen.

just had to tell someone who would understand the lyrics.

My home town Colorado Springs, Colorado is on fire. The beast known as the Waldo Canyon fire took three days to get here, but get here it did. Yesterday afternoon I stood in front of my house and watched as this beast clawed its way over a mountain ridge and then charged down the foothills and in to virgin territory.

It looked like a volcanic eruption the colors were intense black and brilliant orange, a true hell storm. I have seen many fires in…

Yesterday the department had a barbeque in the hopes of recruiting some new members to the fire department. Although only a handful of new people came by for a hot dog or burger, it was loads of fun. I guess looking back the reason it was fun was because no one complained about the department or SOPs or gear that's not new. The guys put up the ladder and demonstrated with some of our junior program members the proper techniques for climbing the ladder. There is something to be said for kids…

The Fire Chief of my home town has had a YouTube video made about him. I’m sure most of you are familiar with the format; it has been used hundreds of times on YouTube. It is the famous Hitler rant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYJNoicuGeA&feature=player_embedded

Hitler sits at his desk surrounded by his staff of officers, all the…

What makes a good exercise for firefighters?  Any?  All?  Well, if you want to get technical then "yes and yes."  Today I want to give a quick upgrade for the row movement, firefighters, emts, and paramedics are asked to lift heavy things in akward and unbalanced situations.  Keeping this in mind, I often ask firefighters how and if the exercises that they perform on a regular basis challenge their balance, strength and core.  The DB Row is a great exercise and with a few manipulations can…

Today was finally a bright and sunny day in NJ. Morris Township and Morristown had a Memorial Day service at my town hall. I didn't expect to go to the service but for some reason I decided today I was going to go.

The Ceremonial Officer was J. Robert Tracy, 86 years old, who for 63 years spoke to the masses gathered at the Green. I got to chat with him before the service started at town hall and he told me he could only speak briefly since he had throat cancer. He didn't…

Hello everyone, when I received an email from Brian M asking how I was since I hadn't blogged, I realized how long it really has been since I did.

I am slowly getting back to being me. The me before all the drama and heartache entered my life in 2007. Looking back, I wouldn't have been able to get through it without knowing I had hundreds of you in my corner, as well as my fire house.

I am still active in the FD and am in charge of our Facebook page and help…