I know there is a lot of sometimes heated discussion over the terms we use in the Fire Service to describe paid and unpaid Firefighters.



The term, "Professional" in ordinary usage by anyone outside of the

Fire Service means someone who "Follows an occupation as a

livelihood." (Random House Webster's Dictionary, definition 1) by almost

any definition, firefighters who are paid to be Firefighters and make their

livings as…

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Fire Departments should consider chartering Venture Crews through BSA, either as an addition to Explorer or Junior FF programs, or instead of the firefighting-focused programs entirely.



Here is my reasoning.



Explorer/Jr. FF programs focus exclusively on Firefighting, which often creates a sense in the Juniors that they "are" Firefighters - which they are not.

The Venturing Program is open to young men and women 14-21…

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FireFighter Nation is NOT a training institution.



Seems like a simple enough statement, but there are those who think that it is, or should be, and would have everyone believe that it is.



What is FireFighter Nation, or FFN, as we like to call it? It is a Social Network for FireFighters and our EMS brothers and sisters. It is a virtual gathering of Firefighters from all across the U.S., and the world, in a sort of on-going Social Hour. Like the first hour of a Firefighter’s… Continue

This is borrowed form a friend who sent it to me. Please feel free to share with friends, family, fellow firefighters, and anyone who drives.



Greenman



THE BIKER



I saw you, hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.

But, you didn't see me, put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.



I saw you, pull your child closer when we passed each other on the

sidewalk. But, you didn't see me, playing Santa at the local… Continue

Fill the boot.



Do our fundraising efforts affect the way the public we serve views us? Of course they do. Every interaction every one of us, individually and collectively, has with the public gives our citizens a new perspective on us. Every time we arrive promptly and professionally to the scene of a call, we give an impression of ourselves. Unfortunately, every time we do something which demeans us in the public eye, we also give an impression...sometimes an underserved… Continue

“Firefighters just like to hang-around the fire station and drink beer until there’s a fire.”



How many times have you heard someone express an opinion like this of Firefighters? Probably too many times. It’s a hard opinion to change when people read about Fire and EMS workers getting into trouble with the law for alcohol-related issues. It’s an opinion which is re-enforced by some fire stations in some parts of the country having bars on their premises.



Many departments,… Continue