Today I sat at a local bar slightly overwhelmed at all the choices I had. 12 different beers, 30 different liquors, a wonderful bar food selection. A nice climate controlled facility and a theoretically infinite tap water supply to refill drinks and wash the dishes. For the last 15 days I was in the East African Country of Kenya. A country that presents with a population of 47.5 million people and a land area that could fit inside of the state of Texas.



     Our first night…

I was approached recently by a new fire academy graduate on how to be young and successful in the fire service. This made me really take a step back and think. I closed my eyes and flashed back. There I was, 20 years old motivated and ready as I started my first day of the Academy at my dream department. We were all wearing suits and ties looking sharp for our first day, so new that we weren’t even issued uniforms. I remember that day vividly. 40 new faces inside the training tower…

The top priority of most Fire Service Organizations is the satisfaction of the public and professional image. Let me ask you today,  how does one attain that? When the public calls for our assistance from the most minor medical call, to a residential lockout, to a fire in a building we are expected to operate in a efficient and professional manner.  The public expects us to run into that burning building, the public expects us to render aid to that person, they expect us to help them in any…

It is your first shift back from a nice relaxing family vacation. You come into the station relaxed and ready to get back to your crew and the job you love.  You notify the firefighter you are relieving of your arrival and go to your locker and grab your equipment. You walk over to the engine as your assignment for the day is the Lead Off Nozzleman.

What is your first step? 

For myself, I start at the off going crew member. I ask about the prior shifts, what tools were used,…